WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE FEAR THE END IS NEAR

Irish boy band WESTLIFE fear the end is in sight, but are leaving it up to their fans to let them know when to split.

Singer NICKY BYRNE wants the band - now a foursome following the departure of BRYAN McFADDEN last month (MAR04) - to continue for a long time to come, but admits their fate lies in the hand of record buyers.

The 25-year-old star says, "If the fans decide the records aren't good enough in the next year or so, then Westlife will fade.

"But if they like the music we will hang around for a long time because we are over a crossroads and can reach out to an older audience."

McFadden left the band to spend more time with his wife, former ATOMIC KITTEN KERRY McFADDEN, and their two children.