Brian McFadden

Early life

McFadden was born in Dublin and was raised Catholic. Throughout his younger years, he always had an interest in singing, dancing and football. Along with his sister Susan, McFadden attended the Billie Barry Stage School in Dublin, which led him to doing stage and TV roles, including a role in the Irish TV show Finbar's Class, a comedy revolving around a group of student-singers. In early 1998, he formed a pop-R&B group with his friends Tim and Darragh, called Cartel, and performed live gigs in Dublin pubs. When the band passed their credentials to prominent Irish music manager Louis Walsh, McFadden was asked to come to the audition for the formation of a new band that would later be called Westlife.

Music career

1998–2004: Westlife

Main article: Westlife

In June 1998, McFadden auditioned for Irish boy band Westlife and was against another blonde Nicky Byrne and eventually both joined the group alongside Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan. After joining, he changed the spelling of his name from Brian to Bryan to make it easier to sign autographs. With McFadden as part of the group, Westlife were under the music mogul Simon Cowell and released their first single, "Swear It Again", which was the group's first and only single to have charted in the US in 2000, four Irish No. 1 studio albums, and a No. 1 greatest hits album. They also released seventeen Irish top 5 singles including the hit single "Uptown Girl", which peaked within the top 10 in seven European countries and also in Australia and New Zealand. In March 2004, McFadden left the group to spend more time with his family and work on solo projects. He subsequently began a solo career and decided to revert the spelling of his first name back to its original, "Brian". Before launching his solo career, he co-wrote the song "If My World Stopped Turning", which was sung by Ireland's entry Chris Doran in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004.

2004–2006: Going solo and ''Irish Son''

Main article: Irish Son

Following his departure from Westlife, McFadden signed to major record label, Sony BMG. In September 2004, he released his debut solo single "Real to Me", which became his first solo No. 1 single in Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Norway. His second single and title track, "Irish Son", peaked within the top 10 on the British and Ireland Singles Charts. Following the release of the two singles, McFadden released his debut solo album, Irish Son, in November 2004 and it peaked within the top 10 on the Irish Albums Chart. McFadden co-wrote most of the songs on the album with Guy Chambers, best known for his successful collaboration with Robbie Williams and INXS. The third single "Almost Here", a duet with Australian singer Delta Goodrem became McFadden's second No. 1 single in Ireland as a solo artist and his first in Australia and gained a platinum accreditation there. The fourth and final single, "Demons" peaked within the top 30 on the charts in Ireland and Britain. McFadden continued writing songs for artists such as Il Divo and Girls Aloud, as well as co-writing the theme song "Together We Are One" for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. That same year, McFadden collaborated with American singer LeAnn Rimes on the song, "Everybody's Someone".

2007–2010: Label change, ''Set in Stone'' and ''Wall of Soundz''

Main article: Set in Stone (Brian McFadden album), Wall of Soundz

While working on the second album, McFadden's record label, Sony BMG insisted that he work with an artists & repertoire (A&R) man, after disappointing sales of his last album, which only sold 800,000 copies worldwide. However, there were claims that McFadden's A&R man did not want McFadden to work with Guy Chambers, who had previously worked with McFadden on his last album and fought about his songs and musical direction. His A&R man wanted him to make songs like James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, and the Scissor Sisters but McFadden insisted he make songs that are of his style. It was later revealed in March 2007 that McFadden parted ways with Sony BMG. Later that year, he set up his own record label under the name of BMF Records and released his new single "Like Only a Woman Can" in Ireland, through the label. "Like Only a Woman Can" became his third Irish No. 1 single as a solo artist. In early 2008, McFadden signed to Universal Music Australia and released the single there in April 2008, which peaked within the ARIA top 15. Following the release of "Like Only a Woman Can", McFadden released his second studio album, Set in Stone. The album peaked in Australia at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Other singles were released from the album: "Twisted", which peaked within the top 30 on the ARIA Singles Chart and "Everything But You", which failed to chart the ARIA top 50.

In April 2010, McFadden released "Just Say So", which features American rapper Kevin Rudolf. The single debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at No. 1 and stayed there for three weeks. It spent seven weeks in the ARIA top ten and thirteen weeks in the ARIA top 50 and gained a platinum accreditation. Following the release of "Just Say So", McFadden released his third studio album, Wall of Soundz, in Australia on 23 April 2010. The album was originally going to be released as a side-project McFadden embarked on with American songwriter Rob Conley but both decided to release it as McFadden's third solo album. It debuted at No. 27 on the ARIA Albums Chart and spent only three weeks in the ARIA top 50. "Chemical Rush" was the second single released from the album in June 2010 and peaked at No. 12 on the charts. In September 2010, McFadden released the third single entitled "Mistakes", a duet with his then fiancée Delta Goodrem. McFadden also recorded a duet with Ronan Keating on Keating's duet album, a cover of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody".

2011–2015: "Just the Way You Are" and ''The Irish Connection''

On 25 February 2011, McFadden released the new single "Just the Way You Are (Drunk at the Bar)". The song was criticised by some as a glorification of date rape, as a result of which he cancelled the shooting of a proposed pop video for the song, asked that the song not be played on the radio and pledged via his Twitter account to donate all proceeds from the song to rape victims. "Just the Way You Are (Drunk at the Bar)" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number sixty-one on 8 March 2011, and peaked at number forty-nine the next week.

In June 2011, McFadden appeared on Australian radio show The Kyle & Jackie O Show to launch both of his new singles "Come Party" and "That's How Life Goes", which was co-written by singer, songwriter and producer Ray Ruffin. Despite heavy promotion and appearances on TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars, the new singles failed to impact the charts at all, which was surprising considering his high-profile appearances on Australia's Got Talent. Some of this has been attributed to the negative press surrounding his previous single "Just the Way You Are (Drunk at the Bar)". This, as well as his much-publicized split with Delta Goodrem, appeared to have had a negative impact on his music career.

McFadden released his new single "Wrap My Arms" on 20 January 2012 in Australia. The song was used in a promo for Home and Away and it managed to peak at No. 70 on the ARIA top 100.

On 13 September 2012, McFadden announced the release of his fourth studio album, The Irish Connection, featuring covers of his favourite Irish songs as well as duets with Ronan Keating and Sinéad O'Connor. The album was recorded in both Sydney and Dublin and features none of McFadden's past five single releases, which have not appeared in an album format to date.

On 18 September 2012, Ronan Keating announced that McFadden would be joining him on his 2013 UK Fires Tour.

2016–present: Boyzlife

Boyzlife is a duo consisting of McFadden and Boyzone's Keith Duffy, formed by the pair in 2016. In 2020, they released their debut album, Strings Attached.

In February 2020, Duffy invited John Junior, a mental health activist, on stage with McFadden on their Boyzlife tour to share his mental health journey with their fans. Junior travels around the United Kingdom with Charlie the Duck, who accompanies him, encouraging people to speak up about mental health. Duffy is friends with Junior and supports his campaign to raise awareness for mental health.

On 19 January 2022, the duo announced the release of their second studio album, Old School. The album debuted and peaked at number 42 on the UK Albums Chart in May 2022.

On 13 January 2025, Boyzlife released the single "Dancing with the Echoes". The single peaked at number 94 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. In March 2025, they announced a UK tour for spring 2026. On 24 October 2025, they released the single "Lovebirds", which peaked at number 76 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. In December 2025, they announced a UK tour for autumn 2026.

Television and radio career

In 2008, McFadden took on the role of television presenter as co-host of FOX8's Football Superstar in Australia. He reprised his role for the second season in 2009. In August 2009, McFadden appeared as a guest judge on Australian Idol.

In 2010, McFadden became one of the new judges on Australia's Got Talent replacing Red Symons alongside Kyle Sandilands who replaced Tom Burlinson and Dannii Minogue. He was a judge for three years, but was not asked back for the seventh season. In season 6, McFadden had a controversial dismissal of Owen Campbell, after a small argument where it appeared that McFadden did not understand the outlaw style genre of the contestant and persona he was portraying which may have played a part in his ratings drop which led to him leaving the show.

In late 2008, McFadden teamed up with singer Ricki-Lee Coulter and former Big Brother host Mike Goldman to present the Summer Breakfast Show on 2Day FM. In September 2009, McFadden returned to radio by co-hosting on the breakfast show on 2dayFM with Jackie O and Andrew G, replacing host Kyle Sandilands for a short period of time.

2013 saw McFadden and his wife at the time Vogue Williams come in second place on ITV dancing show Stepping Out, hosted by Davina McCall.

In 2014, McFadden co-hosted the Channel 5 dating game show Stand By Your Man alongside former Freshly Squeezed co-host Laura Jackson.

In September 2014, McFadden began hosting daytime ITV series Who's Doing the Dishes? The show returned for a second series in September 2015 and a third in September 2016 making over 90 episodes in total. In January 2015, McFadden took part in celebrity talent show Get Your Act Together. In December 2015, McFadden and Vogue Williams took part in a celebrity couples edition of Catchphrase.

In 2016, McFadden participated in the third series of The Jump on Channel 4. He was the fourth celebrity to be eliminated from the show.

In 2019, McFadden took part in the eleventh series of Dancing on Ice, alongside professional partner Alex Murphy. He finished in fourth place, after a skate-off with Saara Aalto.

In 2025, McFadden danced with Michelle Tsiakkas for the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Filmography

;Television

• Australia's Got Talent (2010–2012) – Judge
• Football Superstar (2008) – Presenter
• Summer Breakfast Show (2008) – Co-presenter
• Australian Idol (2009) – Guest judge
• Stepping Out (2013) – Contestant
• Stand By Your Man (2014) – Co-presenter
• Who's Doing the Dishes? (2014–2016) – Presenter
• Get Your Act Together (2015) – Contestant
• The Jump (2016) – Contestant
• Dancing on Ice (2019) – Contestant

;Guest appearances

• The Chase: Celebrity Special (27 September 2014) – Contestant
• Catchphrase: Celebrity Couples Special (5 December 2015) – Contestant
• The Chase: Text Santa Special (18 December 2015) – Contestant

Personal life

McFadden married Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona on 5 January 2002 in Rathfeigh, County Meath, Ireland. They have two daughters. They divorced in 2006. In 2004, McFadden began dating Australian singer Delta Goodrem, with whom he collaborated on the duet "Almost Here". They were engaged but the pair ended their relationship in 2011. He married Irish model Vogue Williams in 2012 in Florence, Italy. They separated in 2015 and divorced in 2017.

In 2018, McFadden received a £450 fine and was banned from driving for six months at a Nottingham court after accruing 12 penalty points for four separate speeding offences.

In December 2019, McFadden announced his engagement to physical education teacher Danielle Parkinson on Twitter after three years of dating. The couple revealed in November 2020 that they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter was born on 16 May 2021. McFadden and Parkinson were married on 5 July 2025 in a small ceremony in Newquay, Cornwall.

Discography

Main article: Brian McFadden discography

Solo

• Irish Son (2004)
• Set in Stone (2008)
• Wall of Soundz (2010)
• The Irish Connection (2013)
• Otis (2019)

Boyzlife

• Strings Attached (2020)
• Old School (2022)

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.

! Ref. |- | 2011 | "Chemical Rush" (Brian McFadden, Antonio Egizii, David Musumeci, James Maas) | Dance Work of the Year | | |-

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

! Ref. |- |"Just Say So" |Most Popular Australian Single | |- | Brian McFadden |Most Popular Australian Artist | |}

References

References

1. Kraines, Talia. (18 November 2004). "Brian McFadden – Irish Son Review". BBC.
2. "Bars - Pubs and Clubs".
3. "Brian McFadden - Interview - The Cafe". YouTube.
4. Cameron Adams (27 March 2008) [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/brian-mcfadden-discovered-real-life-after-westlife/story-e6frf96f-1111115899320 Brian McFadden discovered real life after Westlife] ''[[Herald Sun]]''. (Herald and Weekly Times). Retrieved 25 September 2010.
5. [http://acharts.us/song/1722 "Brian McFadden – Real to Me @ acharts.us"]. ''Music Square''. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
6. Hung Medien (20 March 2005) [https://web.archive.org/web/20121004024436/http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Brian+McFadden+%26+Delta+Goodrem&titel=Almost+Here&cat=s Brian McFadden – Almost Here] australian-charts.com – Retrieved 25 September 2010.
7. [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2005.htm ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles] {{webarchive. link. (15 May 2011 ''[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]'' (ARIA). Retrieved 25 September 2010.)
8. [http://acharts.us/song/16185 Like Only a Woman Can]. acharts.us. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
9. [http://www.accessallareas.net.au/music_news/EkpkZkZkkkQzUGKENx.php Brian McFadden joins the Backstreet Boys tour!] {{webarchive. link. (6 July 2011 Accessallareas.net.au – (AAA Entertainment). Retrieved 25 September 2010.)
10. link. (24 October 2012 australian-charts.com – Retrieved 25 September 2010.)
11. link. (24 October 2012 australian-charts.com – Retrieved 25 September 2010.)
12. Hung Medien (25 April 2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024105201/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Brian+McFadden+feat.+Kevin+Rudolf&titel=Just+Say+So&cat=s Brian McFadden – Just Say So] australian-charts.com – Retrieved 25 September 2010.
13. [http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.auaccreds2010.htm ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Singles] {{webarchive. link. (27 December 2011 ''[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]'' (ARIA). Retrieved 23 August 2010)
14. [http://www.accessallareas.net.au/music_news/EkylpplkEAQSrTSgWU.php Brian McFadden unleashes Wallz Of Soundz] {{webarchive. link. (22 April 2010 Accessallareas.net.au – Retrieved 25 September 2010.)
15. Hung Medien (5 September 2010) [http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Brian+McFadden&titel=Wall+Of+Soundz&cat=a Brian McFadden – Wallz Of Soundz] australian-charts.com – Retrieved 25 September 2010.
16. Hung Medien (27 July 2010) [http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Brian+McFadden&titel=Chemical+Rush&cat=s Brian McFadden – Chemical Rush] australian-charts.com – Retrieved 2010-00-25.
17. Clem Bastow, [https://archive.today/20120712115432/http://clembastow.tumblr.com/post/3590311295/some-days-i-love-my-job-more-than-others Some Days I Love My Job More Than Others] [[Inpress. Inpress Magazine]], 2 March 2011
18. "Universal grounds Brian McFadden video clip".
19. "Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 7th March 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association.
20. "Top 50 Singles Chart - Australian Record Industry Association". Ariacharts.com.au.
21. {{usurped
22. [https://music.apple.com/au/album/wrap-my-arms-single/493239040 iTunes].
23. [https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120615140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20120616-0000/Issue1157.pdf The ARIA Report. Week Commencing ~ 30 April 2012 ~ Issue #1157]{{cbignore
24. (2 November 2012). "Fires - The New Album Out Now". Ronan Keating.
25. (8 March 2016). "Brian McFadden doesn't rule out Westlife return as he launches new band with ex-Boyzone star Keith Duffy".
26. Crumlish, Callum. (17 July 2020). "Boyzlife review: Strings Attached leaves something to be desired in otherwise good album".
27. (Feb 2020). "Real Housewives of Cheshire star is launching a wellness hub after battling depression and anxiety". [[Manchester Evening News]].
28. Wilson, Martha. (19 January 2022). "Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden reveal new album details for Boyzlife supergroup".
29. (19 May 2022). "Boyzlife - Old School".
30. (13 January 2025). "Boyzlife - Dancing with the Echoes".
31. (30 January 2025). "Boyzlife - Dancing with the Echoes". Official Charts Company.
32. Forrest, Jo. (10 March 2025). "Boyzlife announce their 2026 UK tour".
33. (22 January 2026). "Boyzlife - Lovebirds".
34. (24 October 2025). "Boyzlife - Lovebirds".
35. Stickler, Jon. (2 December 2025). "Boyzlife Announce UK Tour For Autumn 2026".
36. "Brian McFadden tipped to be fired from Australia's Got Talent after ratings disaster". Independent.ie.
37. Warner, Sam. (27 March 2014). "Brian McFadden to host Channel 5's dating show Stand by Your Man".
38. Silverstein, Adam. (24 April 2014). "Brian McFadden to host ITV daytime show Who's Doing the Dishes?".
39. (2018-06-18). "Alex Wiseman interviews Brian McFadden of BoyzLife".
40. (18 January 2015). "Get Your Act Together Episode 1".
41. Sandwell, Ian. (23 December 2015). "Brian McFadden has signed up for the new series of The Jump".
42. (27 September 2014). "The Chase: Celebrity Special Episode 5".
43. "Westlife's Brian McFadden Marries".
44. (16 September 2011). "Katona divorces husband No 2". [[Sky News]].
45. (1 April 2011). "Goodrem and McFadden split". ABC News.
46. (13 July 2015). "Vogue Williams breaks silence on split from Brian McFadden".
47. (7 July 2015). "Shock as Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden announce split". evoke.ie.
48. "Brian Mcfaddenさんのツイート: "Just left court in Nottingham. I was Clocked doing 39 in a 30 zone. 6 months suspension and £450 fine. Drink driver crashed his car he got 12 months and an £85 fine. As far as driving to my gigs the prosecution suggested I tweet my followers for a lift! Joke"".
49. "Brian Mcfadden Twitter ನಲ್ಲಿ: "Had 9 PTS already. 67 in a 60 69 in a 60 and 60 in a 50… "".
50. Brian McFadden, [https://twitter.com/BrianMcFadden/status/1209056178975711232 "@BrianMcFadden Tweet"], ''Twitter'', 23 December 2019
51. Vickie Scullard, [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/brian-mcfadden-announces-engagement-danielle-17465170 "Brian McFadden announces engagement to Danielle Parkinson in a really understated way"], ''Manchester Evening News'', 23 December 2019
52. (30 November 2020). "Brian McFadden and fiancée Danielle Parkinson are having a baby".
53. (16 May 2021). "Brian McFadden and Danielle Parkinson welcome first child after tragic miscarriage".
54. Brian McFadden. (6 July 2025). "Brian McFadden on Instagram".
55. Hyland, Claire. (6 July 2025). "Brian McFadden ties the knot with soulmate Danielle". EVOKE.
56. "APRA History". [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS).
57. (2011). "Nominations > Dance Work of the Year – 2011". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS).
58. [http://www.take40.com/news/20335/2010-aria-nominations-announced---full-list-here! 2010 ARIA Nominations Announced] {{webarchive. link. (2 October 2010 ''[[Take40 Australia]]'' (mcm entertainment). Retrieved 28 September 2010.)