Nicky Byrne



Name: Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr.
Date of Birth: 09/10/1978
Eye Colour: Blue
Zodiac sign: Libra
Siblings: 2 (Older Sister Gillian, Younger Brother Adam)
Family: Wife Georgina Ahern Byrne Children: Rocco, Jay and Gia.

Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr., born on October 9, 1978, is an Irish pop singer, songwriter, and radio and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the pop group Westlife, which has released twelve albums, embarked on thirteen world tours, and won several awards, making them one of the most successful Irish boy bands of all time.

Before his music career, Byrne played professional soccer, representing the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels. He has since achieved success as a television and radio presenter. His wife Georgina is the daughter of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and they have fraternal twin sons and a daughter.

In September 2012, it was announced that Byrne would be a contestant on the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing. He was the ninth contestant to be eliminated. In 2014, he was ranked as the second sexiest man in Ireland. After being internally selected by RTÉ to represent Ireland, he released the song "Sunlight" and performed it in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, but did not advance to the final.


About his Career

Football
Nicky Byrne began his football career playing for local clubs Home Farm and St. Kevins Boys in North Dublin, where he showcased his talent from a young age. In 1995, he went professional by joining Leeds United as a goalkeeper. He was part of the FA Youth Cup winning team in 1997 and played for Leeds for two years before his contract expired in June 1997.

Credits: Nicky Byrne

After leaving Leeds, Byrne played a reserve game for Scarborough and had a trial with Cambridge United, before returning to Dublin to join Shelbourne. Subsequently, he signed with Cobh Ramblers, where he played 15 games across all competitions, and later moved to St. Francis F.C., all within Ireland's League of Ireland.

Credits: Scorum.com Archive

During this period, Byrne also represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels, including U15, U16, and U18 teams. His agility, reflexes, and leadership as a goalkeeper made him a valuable asset to the squads. He competed in numerous international matches and tournaments, where he demonstrated his abilities against some of the best young talents from other countries. These experiences not only honed his goalkeeping skills but also instilled in him the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Byrne's time as a goalkeeper in Ireland's youth teams laid the foundation for his future endeavors, both in sports and his subsequent career in music and entertainment. His time on the football field remains a significant and cherished chapter in his life, reflecting his versatility and passion for excellence in all pursuits.

Music
In June 1998, Nicky Byrne auditioned for a new Irish boyband, which was being managed by Louis Walsh of Boyzone fame. Byrne joined the group, initially called Westside, alongside Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden. They later changed the band's name to Westlife. Initially, Byrne wanted to rename the band to West High, but the other members preferred Westlife.

Credits:RTE

With Westlife, Byrne achieved remarkable success, having 25 top ten singles in the UK, including 14 number ones, and seven number one albums. The band has sold over 55 million records worldwide. In the UK alone, Westlife has sold 20.2 million records and videos throughout their 14-year career, which includes 6.8 million singles, 11.9 million albums, and 1.5 million videos. Byrne also scored a number one single in Ireland in 2002, with "Here Come The Good Times (Ireland)," alongside the Republic of Ireland national football team and Dustin the Turkey for the Irish 2002 FIFA World Cup anthem. Byrne has also contributed to writing many of Westlife's songs.


In early January 2016, rumors circulated that RTÉ had internally chosen Byrne to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Byrne initially remained coy about the rumors but expressed his eagerness to seize the opportunity. On January 13, he was officially confirmed as the Irish representative for the contest in Stockholm with the song "Sunlight." Despite his spirited performance in the second semi-final on May 12, 2016, he did not advance to the final.

In October 2018, Westlife's official social media platforms announced the group's reunion as a four-piece. In 2019, they embarked on "The 20 Tour," celebrating Westlife's 20th anniversary since their formation and the release of their first single, "Swear It Again," in 1999. Alongside the tour, Westlife also released new music. "Hello My Love," the lead single from their eleventh album, Spectrum, premiered on the Graham Norton Show on January 10 and 11, 2019.

Credits: VIP.ie

Since then, Westlife has continued to captivate audiences with their music and performances, solidifying their legacy as one of the most successful Irish boybands of all time. In November 2021, they released their twelfth studio album, "Wild Dreams," featuring hit singles like "Starlight" and "My Hero". To support the album, Westlife embarked on "The Wild Dreams Tour," which included spectacular shows at iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium in London, Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and their first-ever headline tours in North America, Canada, and China. The tour was a massive success, with sold-out shows and enthusiastic audiences celebrating the band's enduring legacy. Byrne's journey with Westlife has been marked by numerous accolades and memorable moments, demonstrating his enduring talent and dedication to the group.


Television, Radio & Podcast
In 2003, Nicky Byrne co-hosted an episode of CD:UK with Cat Deeley. He also hosted the closing ceremony of the Special Olympics live from Dublin's Croke Park in front of 80,000 spectators.


Over the years, Byrne has made several appearances on Children in Need and Comic Relief. In 2001, he co-hosted Children in Need live from Belfast, and in 2011, he co-hosted a BBC Radio 2 special with Patrick Kielty for the cause. Byrne has narrated stage shows such as The Snowman Christmas Special and the documentary "Picture of You," dedicated to former Boyzone member Stephen Gately, who passed away on October 10, 2009.

Credits: BBC

Byrne has hosted the Cheerios ChildLine Concert a record seven times, broadcast on RTÉ2 and later on TV3. In 2010, he presented several editions of the Celebrity Sunday radio programme on RTÉ 2fm, attracting listeners from Mexico, Chile, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The final edition, aired on February 14, 2010, trended worldwide on Twitter. Following Westlife's split, FM104 publicly offered him a job.


In October 2012, Byrne hosted the RTÉ reality TV show Football's Next Star, which followed ten young hopefuls competing for a spot in Celtic Football Club's youth squad. During the same year, he also participated in the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, showcasing his dancing skills and charming the audience with his performances alongside professional dancer Karen Hauer. Although they were the ninth couple to be eliminated, Byrne's participation gained him a lot of admiration and showcased his versatility.


From 2013 to 2015, and again in 2017 and 2018, Byrne presented the Irish votes at the Eurovision Song Contest. He also co-hosted the TV talent show The Hit on RTÉ One with Aidan Power.

On February 4, 2014, Byrne signed a contract with RTÉ 2fm to host a new weekday show from 10am to 1pm with veteran DJ and presenter Jenny Greene. He stepped down in March 2019 to focus on Westlife and their upcoming tour.


In January 2015, Byrne began hosting the National Lottery game show The Million Euro Challenge on RTÉ 1, although the show was cancelled in July of the same year. In January 2017, Byrne started hosting the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars alongside Amanda Byram, and later with Jennifer Zamparelli from 2019.

Credits: FM104

In June 2020, Byrne hosted RTÉ Does Comic Relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing much-needed entertainment and relief during challenging times. His charisma and ability to engage viewers made the event a memorable experience.

Credits: Vip Magazine Ireland

In October 2021, he was announced as the host of RTÉ's new singing competition, Last Singer Standing. The show quickly gained popularity, with Byrne's hosting skills adding a dynamic and engaging element to the competition.

Credits: RTé

In October 2024, Byrne ventured into the world of podcasting with the launch of his own podcast, "Nicky Byrne HQ." The podcast became an instant hit, thanks to Byrne's natural charm and storytelling abilities. Each episode features a mix of in-depth interviews, personal anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories from his time with Westlife and his career in the entertainment industry. Byrne invites a diverse range of guests, including fellow musicians, celebrities, and industry professionals, offering listeners unique insights and candid conversations.


"Nicky Byrne HQ" has been praised for its engaging content and the relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere Byrne creates. The podcast provides fans and new listeners alike with a deeper understanding of Byrne's multifaceted career and personal life. Through this new platform, Byrne continues to connect with his audience in meaningful ways, showcasing his versatility and passion for storytelling.


Family
Nicky Byrne was born to parents Yvonne and Nicholas Byrne (d. 2009). He has an older sister named Gillian and a younger brother named Adam. Nicky was born in Dublin and grew up in the Northside area of the city, where he attended Pobalscoil Neasáin and continues to reside.

Credits: Irish Mirror

On 5 August 2003, Byrne married his secondary schoolmate, Georgina Ahern, at the Wicklow Register Office in Wicklow, County Wicklow. The civil ceremony was followed by a church blessing on 9 August at the Roman Catholic Church of St Pierre et St Paul in Gallardon, Eure-et-Loir, France.

Credits: RSVP

The couple has three children: fraternal twin sons named Rocco and Jay, and a daughter named Gia.

Credits: Nicky