‘We loved every minute of it’: Westlife ‘ecstatic’ as they begin comeback tour

Westlife have told how it is "incredible to be back" as they began their comeback tour in Belfast this week.

The recently-reformed boy band played their first of five gigs in Belfast on Wednesday night - which was also their first concert together in seven years. Following the gig, the group - Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan - told how "amazing" it was to see fans singing along to their latest songs. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxvFT-lHv0p/ According to RTÉ, they said:

"We genuinely missed each other and missed the buzz of performing on stage together. It is incredible to be back. "The Belfast crowd were unbelievable. We're ecstatic and we loved every minute of it. It was emotional at times too. "It was amazing to see everyone singing along to our new music and other hits.

Westlife will be bringing The Twenty Tour through the UK and Ireland, ending with two shows in Dublin's Croke Park on July 5 and July 6. They will then play a number of gigs in Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6t7A6H240/ The band also promised fans that it would be "the best tour we have ever done," adding:

"We are giving everyone the best version of ourselves. This is the best job in the world."

The news comes as Westlife fans were over the moon in January when the band released their first single in eight years. The song was written by Ed Sheeran and produced by Steve Mac. Last October, the band announced a mammoth comeback tour and a new album. As part of the 32-date tour, they will play two gigs in Dublin's Croke Park: July 5 and July 6. They will also be playing five -yes, five - nights in Belfast's SSE Arena: May 22, 23, 25, 26 and 27.