Nicky Byrne
Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Jr. (born 9 October 1978) is an Irish singer, songwriter, radio and television presenter and former professional footballer. He is a member of the pop group Westlife, one of the most successful Irish boybands of all time.
Also recorded as Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne
Nicky Byrne

Albin Olsson · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Nicky Byrne
- Birth Name
- Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr.
- Born
- 9 October 1978
- Birthplace
- Dublin, Ireland
- Occupation
- * Singer
- Nationality
- Ireland
- Fields
- pop
- Education
- Pobalscoil Neasáin
- Languages
- English
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Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Jr. (born 9 October 1978) is an Irish singer, songwriter, radio and television presenter and former professional footballer. He is a member of the pop group Westlife, one of the most successful Irish boybands of all time.
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Note VALÉORINE
Nicky Byrne (born 1978) is an Irish actor, association football player and composer, among other activities. The actor was born in Dublin.
Nicky Byrne studied at Pobalscoil Neasáin. The actor is a member of Westlife.
Genres include pop and pop music. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 28 September 2026
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wikidata · Q320224 · wikipedia · Nicky Byrne
In this article
Biography
Biography
Before his music career, Byrne played as a goalkeeper, winning the FA Youth Cup with Leeds United and representing Republic of Ireland at several teen levels. Westlife has since released twelve albums, embarked on thirteen world tours, and won some awards. He has also had a successful TV and radio presenting career.

St Patrick's Parade 2013 - Dublin
Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland · St Patrick's Parade 2013 - Dublin

Every year I look forward to photographing the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin and this year was no different. I got up early this morning and looked out my bedroom window window to see what the weather was like and it appeared to be OK. Therefore, when I decided to leave to go to the press briefing I was more than surprised to discover that it was raining very heavy. By the time I got to my de
William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland · Nicky Byrne, acted as Grand Marshal for this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival Parade (2013) Uploaded by High Contrast
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Nicky Byrne • Birth Name — Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr. • Born — 9 October 1978 • Birthplace — Dublin, Ireland • Genre — Pop • Occupation — * Singer • songwriter • presenter • footballer • Years Active — 1998–present • Label — * Warner • East West • Universal • Syco • RCA • Sony • Current Member Of — Westlife • Website — nickybyrne.com
Football career
Football career
Byrne was a footballer and played for Home Farm and St. Kevins Boys in North Dublin. He became a professional player, and joined Leeds United as a goalkeeper in 1995, and was a squad member of the FA Youth Cup winning team of 1997. He played for Leeds for two years, leaving when his contract expired in June 1997. He played in a reserve game for Scarborough and in a trial game with Cambridge United, before returning to join Dublin club Shelbourne. He then signed for Cobh Ramblers playing 15 games in all competitions, then St. Francis, all in the League of Ireland. He represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-16 and under-18 levels. A fan of Celtic, on 9 August 2011 he played in a Celtic Legends XI at Celtic Park in front of a crowd of 54,000 against a Manchester United Legends team.
Music career
Music career
• Illustration — Nicky Byrne representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 In June 1998, Byrne attended an audition for new Irish boyband, where Boyzone manager Louis Walsh approached him to join his new venture, Westlife. Byrne joined Westlife along with Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden. Byrne revealed in Westlife: Our Story that he had wanted to change the name of the band to West High; but the others preferred Westlife. With Westlife, Byrne has had 25 top ten UK singles, 14 of which were number one, 7 number one albums and has sold in excess of over 55 million records worldwide. It is certified that Westlife have sold 20.2 million records and videos in the UK across their 14-year career – 6.8 million singles, 11.9 million albums and 1.5 million videos. Byrne also had a number one single in Ireland in 2002, alongside the Republic of Ireland national football team and Dustin the Turkey with the Irish 2002 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Here Come The Good Times (Ireland)". He also co-wrote many of Westlife songs. In early January 2016, it was rumored that RTÉ had internally chosen Byrne to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Byrne had not yet confirmed or denied such information but announced that he would grab the opportunity with both hands if given. On 13 January, Byrne was confirmed to be the Irish singer for the 2016 contest in Stockholm with the song, "Sunlight". He performed in the second semi final on 12 May 2016, but failed to advance to the final. In October 2018, a video was posted to Westlife's official social media platforms announcing the group's reunion as a four-piece. In 2019, the group headlined "The 20 Tour", named in honour of Westlife's 20th anniversary since its formation and the release of its first single, "Swear It Again", in 1999. In addition to touring, Westlife also released new music. "Hello My Love", the first single from the group's eleventh album, Spectrum, debuted on the Graham Norton Show on 10 and 11 January 2019.
Television and radio career
Television and radio career
In 2003, Byrne guest-hosted an edition of CD:UK with Cat Deeley. Byrne hosted the closing ceremony of the Special Olympics live from Dublin's Croke Park in front of 80,000 spectators. Throughout the years, Byrne has appeared on Children in Need and Comic Relief several times. In 2001, he co-hosted Children in Need live from Belfast and in 2011 and co-hosted a BBC Radio 2 radio special with Patrick Kielty for the cause. Byrne has narrated stage shows such as The Snowman Christmas Special and the Picture of You documentary dedicated to former Boyzone member Stephen Gately, who died on 10 October 2009. Byrne has also hosted the Cheerios ChildLine Concert a record seven times, which was broadcast on RTÉ2, and in more recent years on TV3. In addition, Byrne presented several editions of the Celebrity Sunday radio programme on RTÉ 2fm in 2010. Listeners tuned in from as far and wide as Mexico, Chile, the United Kingdom, Philippines and Indonesia. The fourth and final edition of the programme, broadcast on 14 February 2010, trended worldwide on Twitter. FM104 publicly offered him a job the day Westlife announced their split. In October 2012, Byrne hosted the RTÉ reality TV show Football's Next Star. The series followed ten young hopefuls competing for a chance to win a place with Celtic Football Club's youth squad. In 2013 through 2015, and again in 2017, 2018 and 2025, Byrne presented the Irish votes at the Eurovision Song Contest. He also co-hosted the short-lived TV talent show The Hit on RTÉ One along with Aidan Power. On 4 February 2014, Byrne signed a contract with RTÉ 2fm to host a new weekday show from 11am to 2pm together with veteran DJ and presenter Jenny Greene. In March 2019, he stepped down to focus on Westlife and preparations for their upcoming tour. In January 2015, Byrne started hosting the new weekly National Lottery game show The Million Euro Challenge on RTÉ 1, although the show was axed that July. In January 2017, Byrne started hosting an Irish version of the TV show Dancing with the Stars, alongside Amanda Byram and with Jennifer Zamparelli from 2019. In June 2020, he hosted RTÉ Does Comic Relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, Byrne was announced as the host of a new singing competition commissioned for RTÉ entitled Last Singer Standing. In October 2024, Byrne launched his own podcast "Nicky Byrne HQ".
Albums
Albums
• Title — Details — Peak chart positions • IRE — SCO — UK • Sunlight — * Released: 6 May 2016 * Label: Universal Music Group * Format: Digital download, CD — 8 — 65 — 114
As lead artist
As lead artist
• Title — Year — Peak chart positions — Album • IRE • "Sunlight" — 2016 — 68 — Sunlight • "Explosion" — —
As featured artist
As featured artist
• Title — Year — Peak chart positions • IRE • "Here Come the Good Times (Ireland)" (Irish 2002 FIFA World Cup anthem) — 2002 — 1
Songwriting
Songwriting
Byrne has co-written some songs in his Westlife years and on all ten tracks on his debut solo album and also to one unreleased song: • "Sunlight" • "Explosion" • "Song For Lovers" • "Pop Machine" • "Still The One" • "Some Things Always Seem To Last" • "Finishing Line" • "Broadway Show" • "Thank You" • "Pretty" • "Talking with Jennifer" • "Sweeping Up" • "When You Come Around" • "Don't Let Me Go" • "Imaginary Diva" • "Reason For Living" • "Where We Belong" • "I Won't Let You Down" • "Singing Forever" • "You See Friends (I See Lovers)" • "I'm Missing Loving You" • "Closer" • "Last Mile of the Way" • "The Way That You Love Me" • "Alive"
Personal life
Personal life
Byrne was born to parents Yvonne and Nicholas (d. 2009) and has an older sister, Gillian and a younger brother, Adam. He was born in Dublin and grew up in the Northside area of the city, where he attended Pobalscoil Neasáin and continues to reside. Byrne married Georgina Ahern, his secondary schoolmate, on 5 August 2003 at the Wicklow Register Office, Wicklow, County Wicklow. The civil ceremony was followed by a church blessing on 9 August at the Roman Catholic Church of St Pierre et St Paul in Gallardon, Eure-et-Loir, France. The couple have three children, twin sons Rocco Bertie Byrne and Jay Nicky Byrne (born April 20th 2007) and daughter, Gia Byrne (born October 23rd 2013).
Philanthropy
Philanthropy
In 2010, Byrne and his family organised the 'Nikki Byrne Twilight Ball', a fundraising event, in memory of their father who died in November 2009. The event raised over €200,000 and completely funded a television and radio heart attack awareness campaign in connection with 'The Irish Heart Foundation'. On 14 May 2009, Byrne was a substitute for a Liverpool Legends XI that played against an All Star XI in a Hillsborough Memorial match to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. All the proceeds from the match went to the Marina Dalglish appeal. Byrne also participated in and won Soccer Aid 2014. He scored in the match, played at Old Trafford. He was the only non-professional player to score in the match. The Rest of the World team won the game 4–2.
Television presenting career
Television presenting career
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2003 — CD:UK — Guest presenter • 2003–2004, 2008, 2010–2011, 2013–2014 — ChildLine Concert — Presenter — 7 specials • 2012 — Football's Next Star — Presenter — 1 series • 2013 — The Hit — Presenter — 1 series • 2015 — The Million Euro Challenge — Presenter — 1 series • 2017–2022 — Dancing with the Stars — Presenter — 5 series • 2020 — RTÉ Does Comic Relief — Presenter — 1 special • 2020 — Soundtrack to My Life — Presenter — 1 special • 2021 — Last Singer Standing — Presenter — 1 series
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the heading Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne.
Identity
Identity
Nicky Byrne is recorded as singer, association football player, television presenter, actor and songwriter.
Honours and awards
• Year — Ceremony — Category — Result • 2001 — Smash Hits Awards — Best Haircut • 2009 — VIP Style Awards — Most Stylish Man • 2014 — PPI Radio Awards — Best Newcomer • 2016 — VIP Style Awards — Most Stylish Man • 2017 — Goss.ie Awards — Most Stylish Man • 2018 — Goss.ie Awards — Best Male TV Presenter • 2019 — Goss.ie Awards — Best Male TV Presenter • 2022 — VIP Style Awards — Most Stylish Man
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Nicky Byrne – Music on Google Play. Google Play. 30 October 2018.
- 2.Home Farm F.C.
- 3.Nicky Byrne — Biography. IMDb.
- 4.Cobh Rampblers. Club History.
- 5.RTÉ bets on Nicky Byrne to return Ireland to Eurovision glory. Irish Independent. 13 January 2016.
- 6.Nicky Byrne will represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision. The Journal. 13 January 2016.
- 7.Westlife announce reunion tour and new album. The Irish Times. 3 October 2018.
- 8.Bradshaw, Aoife. Westlife Release First Comeback Single 'Hello My Love'. Hot Press. 10 January 2019.
- 9.RTÉ Entertainment. Nicky Byrne hosts 2fm's Celebrity Sunday. 5 February 2010.
- 10.RTÉ Entertainment. Nicky Byrne signs for extra 2fm shows. 15 February 2010.
- 11.RTÉ Entertainment. Job offer for Westlife's Nicky Byrne. 21 October 2011.
- 12.Cummins, Steve. Final Whistle For 'Football's Next Star', Series Posts at ScreenScene. Irish Film and Television Network. 2 May 2012.
- 13.Malmö 2013: Spokespersons announced | Eurovision Song Contest Chat Room and Forum | escChat.com.
- 14.Former Westlife star Nicky Byrne named as new 2FM presenter. Irish Independent. 4 February 2014.
- 15.He's riding high and Nicky Byrne dismisses critics as his 2FM show celebrates one year on air. evoke.ie. 4 March 2015.
- 16.Power, Jack. Nicky Byrne and Jenny Greene to leave RTÉ 2FM. The Irish Times. 12 March 2019.
- 17.RTÉ.ie. A New TV Gameshow Presented By Nicky Byrne. 5 January 2015.
- 18.Updated: RTE confirm Nicky Byrne's Million Euro Challenge has been axed. Goss.ie. 23 July 2015.
- 19.Nicky Byrne and Amanda Byram confirm they're hosting Dancing With The Stars. Irish Independent. 6 December 2016.
- 20.RTÉ. Here are the start times for RTÉ does Comic Relief around the world (excluding North America). 26 June 2020.
- 21.Top 100 Artist Album, Week Ending 19 May 2016. Chart-Track.
- 22.Discography Nicky Byrne. irish-charts.com.
- 23.Ex-pupil bids for United break as Pobalscoil prove their class. Irish Independent. 5 November 2009.
- 24.Life in the West lane. The Irish Times. 20 August 1999.
- 25.Taoiseach becomes grandad to twin boys. The Irish Times. 4 April 2007.
- 26.BBC News. Westlife star's French wedding. 9 August 2003.
- 27.Baby joy for Nicky and Georgina. Irish Examiner. 23 October 2013.
- 28.The Irish Heart Foundation. Heart Attack Awareness Campaign. 16 August 2011.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Wikidata, structured authority record Q320224: Nicky ByrneWikimedia Foundation
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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