[Amy]

Westlife star Bryan McFadden has confirmed he is leaving the band to spend more time with his family.

The 24-year-old singer told a packed press conference in Dublin that the other members of the band were his four best friends and his departure was nothing to do with them. "I just feel it's the right time to concentrate on my family and being at home as much as I can," he added.

Although the band said they were "devastated" by the news of Bryan's departure, they called it an amicable split and urged fans to support them now more than ever. Bryan's wife Kerry McFadden and bandmate Nicky Byrne's wife Georgina, Irish premier Bertie Ahern's daughter, stood together as Bryan announced his departure.

Since emerging into the pop world five years ago, the band have had a record-breaking 12 number one singles and sold 30 million records.

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Looked like quite an emotional press conference for Westlife Shame Bryan's going but good luck to the other lads