Stress expert says Westlife heading for a breakdown

A stress expert says Westlife are heading for a breakdown.

He said the boy band could face burn-out and even heart disease if they don't slow down their lifestyle.

Professor Carey Cooper, occupational stress expert at the University of Manchester, blames Westlife's manager Louis Walsh for pushing them too hard.

"Young entertainers aren't like young sports people who are physically trained to have some resilience," he said.

"They really should be better managed by Walsh. It's like he's abusing a new Ferrari," he said.

"He obviously thinks these young boys don't have a long shelf-life, so he works them as hard as possible. It will all end in tears."

Bryan McFadden has had to miss some of the dates on the band's world tour because of an ear infection.

Prof Cooper said long-haul flights and a punishing schedule of TV appearances could lead in the long-term to heart disease.

"Already Bryan's body is telling him it can't cope," he said.

A Westlife spokesman said: "The boys are always over-worked."