Westlife singer Brian McFadden has opened up about his decision to leave the boyband, admitting that he “probably wouldn’t have left” if he had been in his current “headspace”Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter and Ambarish Awale Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
18:31, 25 Dec 2025
Brian McFadden admitted he might not have left Kerry Katona if he had his current mindset(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
In a frank revelation about his former spouse, Kerry Katona, Brian McFadden has admitted he “probably wouldn’t have left” had he possessed his present “headspace”. During an interview that surfaced nearly 10 months following the broadcast of a boyband-focused BBC documentary, entitled Boybands Forever, the Westlife star reflected on the peaks and troughs of his career in the music business.
While The i Paper characterised boyband members as being left “traumatised by their experiences”, Brian acknowledged that, “out of all the people”, he was “probably the one that was OK”.
He continued by saying he “had the craic” and benefited from “other people’s mistakes”, though it appears there’s at least one decision from his boyband days that Brian looks back on with regret.
During a press conference with his Westlife colleagues, Brian reportedly declared his intention to depart the group to dedicate more time to his wife, ex-Atomic Kitten member Kerry, and their kids, the Mirror reported.
Brian, who was wed to Kerry between 2002 and 2004, revealed to The i Paper: “If I was in a headspace like I am now, yeah, I probably wouldn’t have left. But I can’t change how my head was back then.”
Brian was wed to Kerry between 2002 and 2004(Image: David Tonge/Getty Images)
Kerry and Brian, who share two daughters, Molly and Lily McFadden, first crossed paths in 1999. They were reportedly betrothed within just a few months, though the relationship ultimately was not destined to last.
Despite their past difficulties and challenges, Kerry recently reflected warmly on her time with Brian.
In a September chat with Paul C. Brunson on his We Need To Talk podcast, she shared that he “was so funny” and “really loved” her.
Kerry and Brian, who share two daughters, met in 1999, got engaged within months, but later split.(Image: Getty Images)
She revealed: “I think he was the first proper person who genuinely cared about my well-being.
“Do you know what I mean? I told him what happened in my life. He said ‘I’m going to take you away from all that.’ He was my knight in shining armour.”
However, Kerry acknowledged that Brian wasn’t fond of her discussing their relationship in public.
She added: “He rescued me, I don’t mind (talking about it), I know he doesn’t like it. And you know, that’s part of my story.”
In July, it was reported that Brian’s daughters were present when he married his long-term partner Danielle Parkinson in a beautiful beachside ceremony.
This wedding marked his third marriage, as he had also previously been wed to podcaster Vogue Williams.
Brian shared a snippet of the joyous occasion on his Instagram page, with one follower expressing: “So happy for you both – here’s to laughter, love, and a forever kind of harmony.”
Brian appeared on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special on BBC One on Thursday, December 25, from 5.30pm to 6:45pm.