Westlife star Shane Filan launches solo career after bankruptcy

Former Westlife star Shane Filan who has signed a solo record deal, just months after being declared bankrupt. (PA)

Former Westlife star Shane Filan has signed a solo record deal, just months after being declared bankrupt.

The Irish singer has already begun recording his album in Nashville in the US, which will be released by London Records at the end of the year.

His chart-topping group split last year with a series of sell-out stadium shows after a 14-year career during which they notched up 14 UK number one singles.

Filan, 33, was declared bankrupt last summer, only a few days before Westlife bowed out with their farewell show at Dublin's Croke Park. His Irish-registered property company had already gone into receivership, thought to be as a result of the country's economic problems.

Filan said he was excited by his new deal, adding: "One of the things that pleases me the most about this record is that I've been given the opportunity to write my own songs. I'm so excited for people to hear them."

Westlife were noted for the many cover versions they took into the charts.

Filan's bandmate Nicky Byrne was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing last year, while colleague Kian Egan has been a presenter on ITV's This Morning.

Filan's manager, Louis Walsh, said: "This is a fantastic new deal for Shane."

PA