Westlife have broken the hearts of their fans after announcing they are to split after 14 years together.
The Flying Without Wings boyband, who have achieved fourteen No.1 singles, eleven top five albums - including seven chart toppers - and have collectively sold over 44 million copies worldwide, have confirmed they are to call it a day next year.
In a statement issued by Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane, the Irish lads said: "We today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year."
"The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures."
They continued: "We see the greatest hits collection and the farewell tour as the perfect way to celebrate our incredible career along with our fans. We are really looking forward to getting out on the tour and seeing our fans one last time."
"Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too."

Westlife added: "We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together.It has been a dream come true for all of us."

Their Greatest Hits album is to be released on 21st November, while new single Lighthouse can be downloaded from 13th November.

After previously embarking on ten sell out tours during their career, Westlife will hit the road for the final time in May 2012, kicking off their farewell shows in Newcastle.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 21st October.

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