Brian McFadden

Internationally, Brian McFadden is one of the most successful performers and songwriters of his generation. Prior to going solo, he was a member of the phenomenally popular boy band Westlife, a group that sits alongside U2 as the most successful music act ever to come out of Ireland. Westlife hold the record for most number one singles in a row on the UK charts ever - seven. They had a total of 12 number one singles during Brian's time in the group, plus four number one albums, selling in excess of 30 million albums.

In 2004, Brian decided it was time to step away from Westlife and pursue a career as a solo singer and songwriter. His first album, Irish Son, produced by Guy Chambers, featured three UK top 10 hits, including the chart-topping debut single, "Real To Me", plus an unforgettable, ultimately life-altering duet with Delta Goodrem, "Almost Here" - a worldwide hit which also topped the Australian singles charts. Another classic and powerful track called "Demons" featured prominently in the US television series Lost.

Aside from its big hits, Irish Son was defined by its stunning lyrical honesty. Brian looks back at the whole thing as an unedited "life story" and, ultimately, the record would mark the beginning of a major turning point in both the singer's career and private life.

As he was wrapping up work on Irish Son, Brian met Australian singer/songwriter, Delta Goodrem. Together they sang "Almost Here" and it sounded like nothing else on the record, but it's the song that would eventually reveal itself as the bridge between album one and two. In time, Brian and Delta fell in love and their romance brought about a profound change in the lives and work of both young artists, eventually leading Brian to spending a considerable amount of time in Australia.

Brian quickly adopted Australia as a second home. He loves the place, loves how it allows him relative anonymity compared to his day-to-day life back in the UK. It's given him a chance to relax, to focus clearly on his music, and given him back what he values most: complete artistic freedom.