FORMER Westlife star Shane Filan has revealed he may never live in his native Sligo again as he has to be based in the UK for his solo career.
The singer, who will launch his debut album in November, says putting down roots near London means he can see more of his wife Gillian and their two kids as he jets around the world.
His luxury family home in Co Sligo remains unsold after six months on the market — but its sellers are refusing to cut the hefty €990,000 price tag to lure buyers.
Shane now lives with his family in a mansion near Surrey in England, where he was forced to seek bankruptcy over his millions of euro in property debt.
Shane (34) said: “In the foreseeable future, I see us living in London for a long time. It depends on my career.
“It makes a lot of sense to be based in London for Heathrow and airports. I get to see more of my children if I live in London — it’s as simple as that.”
Shane’s second solo single, About You, is released in November just ahead of his album You & Me.
And he has just announced a solo gig in the Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on March 11 next year.
Shane also advised the One Direction band, which includes Mullingar’s Niall Horan (19), to work hard so they’ll be will be able to manage their massive worldwide fame.
He said: “One Direction are probably the biggest pop band in the world. They’re huge. They’re all over America.
“I think they’re handling themselves very well. I met them a few months ago. I brought my kids down to meet them in the O2.
“They have their heads screwed on, Niall is really down to earth. They will be well able to handle it all.”
He added: “They should keep their heads down, work hard, listen to their management, try not to listen to too much hype even though the hype will be huge around you.
“They’re having enormous success and if they can hold it together it will be an amazing story.”
