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‘What are the chances?’ – Westlife star Nicky Byrne’s fans left ‘crying’ as he makes ‘crazy’ discovery of late dad

WESTLIFE star Nicky Byrne’s fans were left “crying” after he made a “crazy” discovery of his dad.

The Dubliner’s father, Nicky Senior, passed away suddenly in 2009 from a heart attack at 60-years-old, leaving his family devastated.

a black and white photo of two men posing for a picture
Nicky Byrne found an old picture of his dad
Instagram / @nickybyrneinsta
Screenshot of a man found on Google Maps outside his job in Dublin in 2009.
Instagram / @nickybyrneinsta
Fans were blown away by his ‘touching’ discovery[/caption]

Nicky shared to his Instagram today that he found an image of his father just five months before his passing.

The singer revealed that while exploring “Kildare Street/School House Lane” on Google Maps, he unexpectedly came across the picture.

Nicky’s father was captured at the end of the street, outside his workplace, watching as the Google car drove past.

The 46-year-old shared the recording of the map to his Instagram and wrote: “Found my dad on Google maps outside his job in June 2009, enjoying the Dublin sunshine.”

He then added: “Crazy but great to see again. This is Summer 2009 and five months before my dad passed.

Here he is standing on the corner of Kildare Street/School House Lane probably wondering what the hell that Google Car with all the cameras is driving past. @googlemaps.”

Nicky’s fans and friends were blown away by his discovery.

Helen said: “Aww what a special moment for you Nicky.”

Louise wrote: “That’s so lovely, special memories for you Nicky.”

Zen commented: “What are the chances! I’m crying.”

Andrew said: “Frozen in time, absolutely brilliant.”

Another added: “I’ve gotten goosebumps watching this.”

Westlife lads Nicky and Shane Filan recently enjoyed a romantic double date with their wives.

The Irish stars closed the curtain on their Wild Dreams tour in South Korea after a string of dates around the globe.

After a hectic year, the singers finally returned home in December to Ireland to spend Christmas with their families.

DOUBLE DATE

However, it wasn’t long before the long-time pals were back hanging out after the tour.

Nicky and Shane headed to the beautiful five-star Adare Manor in Limerick with their wives.

Taking to Instagram, Shane’s wife Gillian posted a picture of the two couples posing in front of a festive staircase in the hotel.

The happy couples looked loved up as they wrapped their arms around each other and beamed for the photo.

Shane looked handsome in a smart black dress coat, a brown cable-knit jumper and a pair of black trousers.

While Nicky rocked a black high neck knitted sweater and a pair of grey pants.

Nicky’s wife Georgina donned a stunning sparkly halter neck smock dress, while Gillian wore a velvet maxi dress with unique gold buttons.

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Furious Traitors fans complain to Ofcom over show final and slam treatment of star

TRAITORS fans are complaining to Ofcom after a fan-favourite player was banished before the winners were announced.

Last night, BBC One’s hit reality show, The Traitors, ended in the most epic way when two Faithfuls won equal shares of £94,000.

Man in suit sitting at a table with hands clasped.
Alexander on The Traitors became a fan-favourite in this year’s series of the popular show
Eroteme
Portrait of Alexander from The Traitors.
BBC
Alexander was banished before being able to nab a share of the prize fund[/caption]
Alexander, Series 3 contestant of The Traitors.
BBC
Fans are keen to see Alexander pop up in other TV shows after his stint on The Traitors[/caption]

Jake and Leanne, both 28, went on to scoop the prize money after revealing they were both Faithful.

This came after an explosive episode that saw Traitor Charlotte booted out of the show before Alexander was banished, and Francesca was axed.

But it was Alexander’s banishing that really got fans riled up and angry.

Some fans were even quick to pen complaints to Ofcom – or so they claimed.

One viewer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a screen grab of an Ofcom complaint form.

In the reason for their complaint, they wrote: “They’re being mean to Alexander.”

Someone replied “so real” to the tweet, clearly in agreement.

Another person agreed with complaining to Ofcom when they joked: “Alexander I am sorry these people can’t be trusted, i am contacting ofcom.”

A second person echoed: “I’m writing to OFCOM about the banishment of Alexander and Frankie so that the HEINOUS Leanne and Jake could win.”

FANS ‘COMPLAIN’ TO OFCOM

“How do i complain to ofcom on alexander’s behalf?” asked a third.

While a fourth swooned over him, writing: “The kindest, most unluckiest player we’ve seen on The Traitors, you did the country well Alexander!”

And a fifth sweetly penned: “Poor Alexander. Proof again that the good guys don’t always win. Gutted on his behalf.”

Alexander fast became a favourite on the hit BBC show, with many fans and viewers growing fond of the former British diplomat.

ALEXANDER’S GRATITUDE

Speaking to The Mirror after his Traitors stint, Alexander expressed his gratitude for all of the support and love he has received since appearing on the show.

How does The Traitors work and who hosts it?

The Traitors first launched in the UK in 2022, after the Dutch format was acquired by the BBC.

Claudia Winkleman is the show’s host, and has now hosted all three series to date.

How does it work?

It is a reality game show that involves 22 contestants, and some of them are chosen to be The Traitors.

The Traitors sees a group of contestants taking part in “the ultimate game of truth and deception”.

The group of contestants are competing for the chance to walk away with a huge cash prize.

While navigating through a series of challenges, the team are also tasked with figuring out who the Traitors are in the group (usually three contestants).

Each night, the Traitors gather to “eliminate” one of the Faithful, removing them from the competition

Meanwhile, the traitors can be “banished” if they’re successfully outed as a traitor by a faithful.

The winners of the show are either the Traitor who remains undetected or the Faithfuls if they successfully eliminate all the Traitors. 

The prize sees the winner could get £120K.

“I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had during this,” he said.

“It was quite an intense process because I got off the train and then came back into the game only two and a half weeks ago.

“It’s been made so much more enjoyable because of all the support out there and I’m enormously grateful for it, it really means a lot,” he said.

Elsewhere in his chat with the publication, Alexander revealed his relationship status amid increased interest in him from women online.

“I am still single… I’ll probably leave it there,” he told the outlet.

Man in suit dancing.
Alexander was a Faithful throughout the entirety of the series
The final five contestants from The Traitors season 3.
BBC
Alexander made it to the final episode along with Leanne, Jake, Charlotte and Francesca[/caption]

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Cork edge Meath in thrilling Division 2 opener as new rules add excitement to clash

CORK have had their opening-day struggles in the past decade but they got their Division 2 campaign off on the right foot with a four-point victory against Meath.

This was an open, entertaining game played under the new rules, although these two produced an equally exciting 3-14 to 0-19 encounter in the equivalent fixture two years ago.

25 January 2025; Neil Lordan of Cork in action against Mathew Costello of Meath during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Meath at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Neil Lordan of Cork in action during their win over Meath in the league opener
25 January 2025; Cork players Darragh Cashman, left, and Sean Walsh after the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Meath at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Cork’s win was entertaining in the game played under the new rules

Colm O’Rourke got his managerial term off to a winning start that day but Robbie Brennan’s inter-county debut went the other way as Cork grabbed the goals this time through Matty Taylor and Chris Óg Jones, who finished with 1-4.

Cork manager John Cleary said: “There are a lot more scores. Under the old rules, it is unlikely we would have had that many scores.

“It is more enjoyable to coach. And it is more enjoyable to watch. And the players are loving it as well. It is a win-win.”

He added: “This is the first time since I’ve been involved in the last four years that we’ve won the first game so there’s relief in that.”

While the Rebels executed the majority of their chances, Meath missed far too many opportunities.

Brennan said: “You look at the numbers and I think it was 11 scoreable frees we conceded and then we’ve missed 19 opportunities.

“Huge frustration in the dressing room because we came down to win and we feel we’ve left that one behind us.”

In terms of the new rules, Cork scored the only two-pointer of the first half from a free outside the 40-metre arc.

But their failure to keep three players beyond the halfway line saw them penalised with a 14-metre free to level 0-11 apiece at the break.

Meath committed the same offence after the break with Mark Cronin taking the option to move the free back outside the 40-metre arc for a successful two-pointer.

Both sides pushed their goalkeeper forward throughout to manufacture 12-on-11 situations in the opposition half.

Adventurous Meath stopper Billy Hogan collected a couple of assists and had three shots at the posts, scoring one when spinning between two tacklers.

The teams traded points through the first quarter with impressive kicks from Mathew Costello, who ended with 0-10, and Jack Flynn before a Seán Coffey solo-and-go led to a handpassed point from Jordan Morris.

Cork trailed by one but slingshot into the lead with new free-taker Brian O’Driscoll splitting the posts from a free outside the arc.

There was space left in behind by players defending the arc and both teams almost exposed it before the break.

The threatening Morris had a shot on goal saved by Micheál Aodh Martin and Colm O’Callaghan cracked the woodwork after a smart one-two.

Cork’s first goal arrived in the 41st minute with wing-backs Seán Powter and Taylor combining for the latter to chip into the far corner.

It was 1-13 to 0-13 but Meath levelled for a 10th time with quickfire points from Shane Walsh, new captain Eoghan Frayne, and Hogan.

Cork reeled off the next 1-5 without reply, with the goal in the 57th minute. Hogan saved Jones’ first effort but he netted the rebound for a 2-18 to 0-16 lead.

Costello attempted a pair of late two-point frees, including one brought outside the arc after sub-keeper Patrick Doyle took too long over a kick-out, and scored one, but they couldn’t get within touching distance.

CORK: MA Martin; M Shanley, D O’Mahony, N Lordan; S Powter, R Maguire, M Taylor 1-0; S Walsh, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh 0-1, E McSweeney, B O’Driscoll 0-6 (2f, 1tpf); M Cronin 0-7 (5f, 1tpf), C Óg Jones 1-4, S McDonnell.

Subs: P Doyle for Martin 52, C O’Mahony 0-1 for McDonnell 52, D Cashman for Powter 62, É Desmond for S Walsh 66, T Walsh for McSweeney 70+1.

MEATH: B Hogan 0-1; A O’Neill, S Lavin, D Keoghan; E Harkin 0-2, S Coffey, C Caulfield; J Flynn 0-1, B Menton; K Curtis, S Walsh 0-2, J Kinlough; J Morris 0-4, M Costello 0-10 (5f, 1tpf), E Frayne 0-1.

Subs: B O’Halloran for O’Neill 50, C Duke for Curtis 54, J Conlon for Walsh 56, R Jones for Frayne 61, S Rafferty for Caulfield 61.

Referee: D O’Mahony (Tipperary).

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Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe could be set to follow sibling’s path with big move to European giants

SUNDERLAND star Jobe Bellingham is being chased by two German giants.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen sent scouts to watch the midfielder, 19,  in the Championship promotion-chasers’ win at Derby on Tuesday.

Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates with a scarf.
Getty
Jobe Bellingham could be set to follow brother Jude’s footsteps with a European move[/caption]
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland AFC during a soccer match.
Getty
Jobe has put in some amazing performances for Sunderland[/caption]

Dortmund helped catapult big brother Jude, 21, to superstar status with Real Madrid and England.

The Bundesliga club want to make it a family double with top spy Bastian Schulz at Pride Park to see Jobe in action.

But title-chasing Leverkusen are also serious rivals and may offer a different route to stardom with scout Lukas Schmitz at the Rams clash, too.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are flying high at home and abroad and would offer Jobe the chance to step out of global star Jude’s footsteps — which could appeal to the Black Cats dynamo.

Jobe moved to the Stadium of Light in 2023 for £3million and has already been linked with a string of Premier League sides and could move in this month’s window.

But the £20m-rated goalscoring midfielder would prefer to see out Sunderland’s bid for promotion to the top flight and then move in the summer.

Meanwhile, the new England boss Thomas Tuchel is prepared to look outside the Prem for new talent.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief has already sent trusted No 2 Anthony Barry to see Jobe and his fellow Championship star James Trafford ahead of possible selection.

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Barry went to watch Burnley keeper Trafford, 22, when he saved two late penalties against Sunderland last week.

And he is in contention for a senior Three Lions call-up — despite being relegated from the Prem with Clarets last year.

Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund celebrates a goal.
Getty
Brother Jude used to play for Borussia Dortmund before Real Madrid[/caption]
Jude Bellingham with his brother and mother at a soccer match.
PA
Jobe could also join Jude in the England national team soon[/caption]

England Under-21 ace Jobe is also on the radar for the senior side despite having not played in the top flight.

Tuchel and Barry now plan to see as many rising stars as possible, even if that means going outside the main Premier League stage.

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