Leave Delta Goodrem alone, say Westlife

Irish boy band Westlife have slammed the British press for blaming Delta Goodrem for the demise of their former bandmate Brian McFadden's marriage.

The band insist the Australian pop star, who collaborated on their last album, is an innocent victim and had nothing to do with McFadden's split from Kerry Katona in 2004.

In recent months, details of their tempestuous marriage have dominated British newspapers, with Katona claiming her ex-husband's relationship with Goodrem pushed her towards drink and drug abuse.

But the band are adamant Goodrem played no direct part in the heartbreak.

"We feel sorry for Delta," said singer Nicky Byrne. "People blame her but she's the victim in this."