Westlife are splitting up in 2012?

The band will call it a day after releasing their 'Greatest Hits' album this Christmas and performing their farewell tour next Spring.
Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane announced the news in a statement this evening saying:"After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top 5 albums, seven of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44 million copies around the world, 10 sell-out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year.
 "Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too.
"We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together. It has been a dream come true for all of us. "
The lads have been together for 14 years and clocked up 26 top ten hits, including 14 number one singles and 11 top 5 albums, seven of which hit the top spot.
They have sold a whopping 44 million copies around the world.