Westlife singer Shane Filan declared bankrupt in UK
- Court order comes a month after boyband star's Ireland-based property development company went into receivershipThe Westlife singer Shane Filan has become the latest victim of the Irish property bubble after being declared bankrupt in the UK.The 32-year-old, whose boyband career saw him share in the group's estimated £31m fortune, said he was devastated by the move, which happened just days before Westlife play their farewell show in Dublin.Filan's announcement came as an Irish couple who amassed an £800m international property portfolio started bankruptcy proceedings in London on Thursday.Filan was declared bankrupt this week at Kingston county court in Surrey, a month after his Ireland-based property development company went into receivership. The bankruptcy order lasts for a year but would have lasted for three years had it been filed in Ireland.Filan said in a statement that he had been forced to make the move after exhausting all other options. "Together with a team of financial and legal experts I have spent months exploring all possible alternatives to bankruptcy but to no avail. I have worked long and hard to try to reduce my debts, and I am devastated that it came to this conclusion."I now intend to focus on the remaining dates of the Westlife tour and my commitments to the band before looking to rebuild a future for my wife, my three children and myself."Westlife, currently on their final tour, have had 14 No 1 singles in the UK, including Flying Without Wings and Fool Again, and more than two dozen top 10 hits. In 2010, the group were estimated to have amassed a £31m fortune after selling more than 44m records. The group will wind up their 14-year career with a show at Croke Park in Dublin on 23 June.Bankruptcy and IVAsIrelandPop and rockPropertyBorrowing & debtEuropeDan Milmoguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds ...
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