Westlife's Shane Filan 'devastated' after filing for bankruptcy


June 14, 2012

Westlife singer Shane Filan has filed for bankruptcy.

Although the Irish boyband sold millions of records, Shane suffered enormous losses in his country's property crash.

The father-of-three, who is married to his childhood sweetheart, Gillian, owns a property company with his brother Finbarr.

It was set up in 2004 and had been involved in developments in the west of Ireland.

Last month, the company was placed in receivership.

The 32-year-old said in a statement he had "worked long and hard" to tackle his debts and was devastated that his problems had come to this conclusion.

The boys are currently in the middle of a farewell tour and continue to fill major concert venues.

Last October, they announced they were splitting up.

The pop star filed for in the UK which has a less harsh bankruptcy regime than Ireland. In Britain the period of bankruptcy typically lasts for a year but in the Republic of Ireland it is at least three years and can last up to 12.Westlife are one of the most successful boy bands of all time, selling more than 44 million records.

Earlier this week, the singer was declared bankrupt at Kingston-upon-Thames County Court and his name has been placed on the UK insolvency register.

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