While doing a touch (and only a touch) of research for this story about crooning Irish heartbreakers Westlife, we came across a little gem by Simon Cowell. Apparently, back when Westlife were a six-piece and called IOYOU, Louis Walsh showed them to Cowell, who was with BMG at the time, and Simon told him:

"You are going to have to fire at least three of them. They have great voices, but they are the ugliest band I have ever seen in my life."

Ho ho.

How things have changed. Over the past 13 years Westlife have been kept protected and well fed (especially Bryan/Brian) by Simon's label Syco. They've had sweet nothings whispered in their ears when the whole world was calling them washouts, they've had money plonked in their pockets when the whole world was refusing to buy their music because they were washouts and they've had Simon's valuable attention, in an attempt to stop the whole world calling them washouts.

But to no avail. That period of their lives is over. They've split from their master and commander and decided to cast out on their own (well, with RCA anyway), and apparently it's all because Simon stopped loving them (via The Sun):

"Simon became famous himself and his interests went that way rather than on Westlife.

 

"We almost felt a little bit unloved with Simon Cowell, if I was to be honest."

 

"We had it with Simon but he got so busy and would do it at the very last minute and we needed someone who was on it all the time."

Perhaps if you hadn't become so bloated, he would have paid more attention to you. A relationship works both ways you know. He brings home the bacon and you four should be in the kitchen when he gets home, dinner on the go. Wouldn't have hurt you to wear something pretty once in a while either. You're lucky he stuck with you as long as he did. You're no Matt Cardle, that's for sure. In fact, you're more of a Shayne Ward. UGLY, UGLY, UGLY:

"We have been tarnished with a very ballad brush but I'm not the boring guy who likes dressing in a suit and sitting on a stool so I'm not sure why we developed into that.

 

"It's not always about recording a ballad and only a ballad.

 

"If we are going to keep up with the big pop stars then we have to think outside of the box. That's what we're doing now with our new team."

Oh boo hoo. Waa waa waa. We tell you what, if you come round our place, we'll tar you with more than the very ballad brush, if you know what we mean. Ungrateful. That's the word. Ungrateful.

Anyway, here's their most famous song. Possibly.