Brian McFadden came to fame with boy band Westlife but left in 2004 to pursue a solo career. His first single Real To Me, released in September 2004, soon hit number one in the UK charts.

Goodrem and McFadden pose during opening ceremony for Commonwealth Games at Melbourne Cricket Ground.[filephoto]

He has a relationship with Australian singer star Delta Goodrem, who performed the song Together We Are One at the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Melbourne. The song was written by herself, McFadden and the man who co-wrote Angels with Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers.

Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden on Australia 3-1 Japan

Delta: I had to go into the studio in London because I'm recording an album but luckily there was a big screen in there and we had the game on the whole time. We¡¯d get distracted every five seconds when we'd do a vocal and I was in the middle of singing when the goals went in. You can hear me screaming into the microphone! I'm very patriotic and I'm always proud to be an Aussie, but especially so tonight after that game.

Brian: I felt like I was an Aussie today because I was watching the match in a bar in London with about a thousand Australians in it. I think Australia were very sloppy in the first half when they were just getting used to it. They were great in the second half and the last 20 minutes reminded of Manchester United winning the Champions League in 1999, the year they won the treble, or the Republic of Ireland going all-out attack, throwing the kitchen sink at it. You think they¡¯re never going to score and you¡¯re on tenterhooks, but when they got the goals it was great.

What's the greatest match you¡¯ve ever seen?

Delta: That would have to be Australia beating Uruguay on penalties in the play-off to reach this World Cup. I was asked to sing before the match, but I was really disappointed not to be able to do it. I was so excited when they went through. It¡¯s such a wonderful thing to be part of.

Brian: Yes, we were in Sydney at the time, but we felt totally sick about not being able to go to the game and we had to settle for watching it on television. For me, being Irish, I'd have to pick a Republic of Ireland match at the World Cup. I think Ireland's (1-1) draw with Germany at Korea/Japan 2002 was incredible and so was the time we beat Italy 1-0 at USA 94. Then there was also Italia 90 when we knocked out Romania in a penalty shoot-out. I was ten at the time and about 25 friends and family were all crammed into this one room in Dublin watching it on a tiny TV. I'll never forget it ¨C I can still remember exactly where I was sitting in the room and the scenes in the city afterwards were unbelievable. There are so many great games though - what about when Korea Republic knocked Italy out of the last World Cup? I watched it from a hospital bed in Dublin and that was another really exciting match, but if I can only have one, it would be the Republic of Ireland beating Romania on penalties.

What was the first FIFA World Cup you watched?

Delta: Well, I was born ten years after Australia last qualified for the finals back in 1974, so I'd have to say this year.

Brian: Mine would be the 1986 World Cup. I was six back then and I watched it all with my dad. I¡¯ve been playing football since I was three years old, so I can still remember seeing Diego Maradona at Mexico 86.

What is your favourite football moment?

Brian: I have to go through some of my own favourite memories here. I scored a great goal once when I was playing for a Westlife team against a side made up of Asian rock bands at the national stadium in Malaysia. We played a concert there, then they took out the stage so we could play the match. The build-up to it had been going on for weeks and we were complete underdogs, with being a boy band, but we won 7-1. It was shown live on TV over there and my goal came when I flicked the ball over their goalkeeper on the edge of the area and did a flying volley into the empty net. I loved it!

Delta: He shows that goal to everyone!

Brian: That's true. I also had some great moments training to play for the Rest of the World team against England at Soccer Aid (at Old Trafford on 27 May) and the best was when our manager Ruud Gullit came up to me and said, 'I just want you to know you will be starting the game alongside Diego Maradona'. It was amazing. I made him say it to me three times! 

What is your 2006 Final prediction?
Brian: I think the last four will be England, Brazil, Argentina and Holland. To go for Brazil to win it is such an easy thing to say, but if England keep their shape and have no more injuries, I think they can definitely win. They have their best team in a long, long time.
Delta: Well what do you expect me to say? Australia to win of course!