Kian Egan: Nicky and Brian ’the ugly ones’ in Westlife

Former Westlife singer Kian Egan said he challenged pop mogul Simon Cowell over claims the Irish group were "the ugliest" boyband he had worked with.

Egan, one-fifth of the chart-toppers signed by Cowell, said The X Factor judge quickly backtracked on his comments when asked to clarify them — although Egan admitted two of the band were ugly.

Speaking to Phil Williams on BBC Radio 5 live, Egan joked Nicky Byrne and Brian McFadden were the least attractive because they are Dubliners. The rest of the band are from Sligo.