Although the band carried on as a four-piece – including multiple number one albums – they did go their separate ways in 2012, capping a disastrous year for Shane Filan

Westlife were “silly” with their millions after becoming music superstars, one of the members has revealed.

Kian Egan is by far the richest member of the Sligo boyband, with the group having sold more than 55 million records since they were formed in 1998.

They kicked off another world tour by playing to a sold-out Aviva Stadium on back-to-back nights last month.

Westlife’s Shane Filan, Markus Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan visit Magic Radio on November 05, 2021 in London, England. (Image: gettyimages.ie)

Famously, Bryan McFadden split from the group just six years into their career

Although the band carried on as a four-piece – including multiple number one albums – they did go their separate ways in 2012.

That capped off a fairly awful year for band member Shane Filan.

Shane Filan on the Late Late Show

He was declared bankrupt with debts of €23million after his property business with his brother Finbarr went bust.

Shafin Developments had borrowed from Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank but was a victim of Ireland’s recession like many other businesses.

Six years on, his wife Gillian was also declared bankrupt.

During this time, the couple were forced to sell their home in Sligo and relocated to Surrey in the UK.

“I learned so much about how important family is,” he said.

Westlife on stage (Image: Visual China Group via Getty Images)
“It was scary because your band is over and you have kids and you’re thinking ‘What’s going to happen here?’

“But Gillian was unbelievably strong,”

Shane is in the green again and now has an estimated net worth of €2.9m, with the band enjoying the sold-out Wild Dreams Tour, having reformed in 2018 to much acclaim.