Audiences watching the star-studded Royal Variety Performance on ITV were left utterly astonished by the appearance of legendary Irish boyband Westlife, with countless viewers insisting the group's members look exactly as they did at the peak of their fame.
A Timeless Performance Stuns the Nation
The annual ITV spectacular made its grand return, hosted by Jason Manford and featuring a lineup that included Jessie J and Sir Stephen Fry. However, it was the performance by Westlife – Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, and Kian Egan – that truly set social media alight. The trio delivered a powerful medley of their greatest hits, sending fans into a frenzy of nostalgia and disbelief.
One amazed viewer declared on social media, "Westlife haven't aged in 25 years," capturing the sentiment of many. Another fan raved, "The gorgeous Westlife fellas!" while a third stated simply, "Westlife still the finest boy group." The comparison to the fictional age-reversing character Benjamin Button was also made, with one comment reading, "3 'Benjamin Buttons' right there! Looking incredible boys!"
The consensus was clear, as further reactions poured in: "Well those Westlife lads are looking and sounding as good as they always did," and "These boys from Westlife literally look the same."
The Band's Journey and a Member's Health Battle
Westlife, originally formed in 1998, has seen a remarkable journey. The classic lineup included Shane, Nicky, Kian, and Mark Feehily, with Brian McFadden also a member until his departure in 2004. After disbanding in 2012, the group thrilled fans by reuniting in 2018.
However, recent performances have proceeded without Mark Feehily. The band confirmed his absence as part of their 25th-anniversary plans, stating: "Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able."
This follows a series of serious health challenges for Feehily. He recently shared a detailed account, explaining that a surgery complication in August 2020 led to severe sepsis and a life-threatening infection, requiring immediate emergency intervention and a stay in ICU. His health struggles continued, with a pneumonia diagnosis in late 2021 forcing him to miss concerts.
After developing an incisional hernia and undergoing a fourth major surgery, Mark made the difficult decision to take a temporary hiatus from all Westlife touring. He expressed his "utmost level of regret" but stated he needed time to fully recover from his "turbulent journey."
Looking to the Future
Despite this, the band's future remains bright. Westlife has released four new songs this year and is launching an upcoming world tour, celebrating their enduring legacy with the fans who have supported them for a quarter of a century.
The band's heartfelt statement for their 25th anniversary read: "The four of us can't quite believe its been 25 years. We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world." They signed off, "Happy 25th To Us All! Love, Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane."
The Royal Variety Performance, featuring the unforgettable and seemingly ageless Westlife, aired on ITV1.
