KEY POINTS:
What do you ask one of the world's biggest bands when they have probably heard every conceivable question many times over?
Answer: Turn to the fans.
When the Herald was given a chance to talk to Irish heart-throbs Westlife in Christchurch yesterday, this journalist stood aside, and long-time
fan Kristy Lyttle stepped up.
Westlife, with 40 million albums sold and nearly as many number one hits as the Beatles, started their New Zealand tour with a sold-out show in Christchurch last night and will finish with a concert in Auckland on Monday that has been added because of the huge demand for tickets.
A self-described "old school fan", Miss Lyttle, 25, has followed thefortunes of Westlife since she was a teenager.
But even before the seed analyst got to the hotel function room for the interview of her life, the anxiety almost became too much.
"When I was first asked, I had a little freak-out," she said. "I've never met a celebrity before."
Amid the hustle and bustle of interviews and photographs, a highly stressed Miss Lyttle was thrust before the band before she knew it, and was delving into her carefully considered questions.
Miss Lyttle: Growing up, you guys were on our bedroom walls; who was on your bedroom walls?
Nicky Byrne recalled posters of Kylie Minogue and busty Baywatch actress Erika Eleniak, while fellow band member Mark Feehily remembered pictures of Mariah Carey and Claudia Schiffer among many.
Miss Lyttle: If you could be anyone else, and have any other job for a day, what would it be and why?
An eclectic mix of answers: Tiger Woods, pro surfer Kelly Slater, Brad Pitt and Prince.
Miss Lyttle: What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever given you?
Band member Kian Egan: We've had some, not just weird stuff, but pretty disgusting stuff as well, and I won't go into too much detail. There's stuff that could be funny weird - I was given a potato once, Mark was given a turnip.
Miss Lyttle: Is there one Westlife song you guys are just sick to the gills of singing?
Mark Feehily: We have recorded literally over 200 songs, so I think there probably are a few.
Shane Filan: The ones that we don't sing that much are the ones we don't like much.
With the interview complete, and a photograph with the band to remember it, Miss Lyttle's job was done.
"You've made my day," she said, "you've made my year."