Filan attended Summerhill College, a Catholic school, with Kian Egan and Mark Feehily. All three of them participated in a school production of Grease when they were about 12. The Hawkswell Theatre became a significant part of their careers, and as a big fan of Michael Jackson, Filan taught himself how to moonwalk. MUSIC CAREER|Before Westlife, Egan and Feehily were with Filan in a band known as I.O.U. with other Sligonians Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron and Michael “Miggles” Garrett. In 1997, he attended an audition for a new Irish boyband, where he was spotted by Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, and Walsh approached him to join his new venture, Westlife. The three Sligonans joined the band along with Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden. Filan, along with Mark Feehily, is the main lead singer (first voice) in Westlife. Their first album was released in November, 1999, titled Westlife. With Westlife, Filan has had 14 UK number ones and six number one albums in the UK, and sold 40 million records worldwide. Filan has also co-written a few songs, along with the other band members, including: Fragile Heart |Bop Bop Baby (Became a hit single and made it into #5 in U.K. singles charts) |I Wanna Grow Old With You |Don’t Say It’s Too Late |Love Crime |How Does It Feel |Crying Girl |Reason For Living |Miss You When I’m Dreaming |He has also written songs for other artists, (together with his former bandmate McFadden): Listen Girl sung by John Ostberg |Let Me Be the One sung by Simon Casey (the song written by only Shane himself) |Sei Parte Ormai Di Me sung by Il Divo PERSONAL LIFE:Filan married his childhood sweetheart, Gillian Walsh (Kian’s cousin) on Sunday December 28, 2003 at Ballintubber Abbey;A massive Manchester United fan, Filan and bandmate Nicky Byrne proudly wore their Man Utd scarfs as they were half time guests at Old Trafford for the game between United and Bolton Wanderers He and his eldest brother, Finbarr, have a company called Shafin Developments Ltd. They are hoping to expand its portfolio with the proposed construction of 63 luxury apartments at the rear of Lisroyan House, Knappagh Road, Sligo | |
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