In a show sure to excite members of boybands Westlife and Boyzone, two of the bands’ key members are uniting for a show heavy with nostalgia – but also a few new surprises.

Boyzlife, consisting of Westlife’s Brian McFadden and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy call in at the O2 Academy Oxford tomorrow, and, says, Brian, the gig will not only see them revelling in the past.

Brian, who enjoyed 12 UK and Ireland number ones as a member of Westlife, revealed that the tour will feature newly recorded music. He said: “We’ve been re-recording some of Boyzone and Westlife’s greatest hits in Spain for a new album.

“It was hard to pick the songs we wanted to include because we’ve had a lot of great songs.

“We both have our favourites. My favourite Boyzone song is You Needed Me and Keith’s favourite Westlife song is Queen of My Heart.

“There are songs that will always make the cut too, like Flying Without Wings and No Matter What.”

He continues: “This tour is going to be a very different show, with our own feel.

“Keith and I are in a good place right now and there’s a lot of banter going on in the studio and on stage.”

There will also be a medley of various boyband songs included in the show.

Brian reveals: “It’s a homage to past boybands. My favourite boyband (apart from the obvious) is Backstreet Boys. They were the first group that made me say ‘I want to do that’.”

Westlife formed in 1998 and rose to fame with their debut international self-titled studio album in 1999. The band boasts four number one albums and over 30 million record sales.

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Since Westlife, Brian has also enjoyed international solo success, with a UK number one in Real to Me.

Keith – the other half of Boyzlife – has enjoyed similar achievements as a member of Boyzone.

The band have six UK number one singles under their belt, with 16 out of 17 of their first single releases making the top five. Boyzone formed in 1993 and enjoyed international fame before disbanding for the first time in 1999. More recently, in 2018, the group held a celebratory 25th anniversary tour and released their final album, titled Thank You & Goodnight.

Brian is excited to be touring with Boyzlife and said: “Touring is one of the best parts of the job.

“It’s one of the reasons we make music.

“I like being in smaller venues where I can see the whites of people’s eyes and you can get nice feedback

“ It’s also great to be at larger festivals, where we can turn the microphone around and the whole crowd will sing Uptown Girl or Words back at you.”

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He adds: “It’s good being part of a duo because you can sing a lot and then rest your voice.

“Being in a larger group, like Westlife, there’s a lot of resting your voice.”

The pair had a successful tour in December 2017, which, along with the music, included tales of their time in two of Ireland’s biggest acts.

The duo also enjoyed tours abroad, including the Far and Middle East. Brian, although enjoying the busy schedule, says, “We just haven’t stopped. We’ll probably get some down time at Christmas.”

The former Westlife star is particularly keen to perform in Oxford as he is a regular visitor to the city.

He says: “I’ve visited Oxford many times before because we’ve got family friends there.

“I’ve spent a lot of time at Studley Wood Golf Club and I try to stop by the city whenever I’m in London.”

Although they won’t have much chance for sightseeing around Oxford or elsewhere on the tour, Brian says that they’re never short of stories at each of their show venues.

Speaking about a memorable show during their first Boyzlife tour, Brian recalls, “A woman’s waters broke and she went into labour on the front row.”

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He laughs: “I don’t know if it was because my singing was so bad!”

Earlier in the year, Brian took part in the 11th series of Dancing on Ice. He finished in fourth place with professional partner Alex Murphy.

In 2010, he became one of the judges on Australia’s Got Talent alongside Dannii Minogue and Kyle Sanilands.

Brian stayed on the show for three years.

Keith Duffy has also had a turn at judging, as he worked on the Irish talent contest You’re a Star, later presenting the fifth series of the show.

He has branched out into acting and has appeared on and off in soap Coronation Street, with his first appearance being in 2002 and most recent appearance in 2011.

Brian and Keith – both of whom hail from Dublin – have already performed for over 20,000 adoring fans since the pair came together in 2016.

Brian says he and Keith have great chemistry on and off stage because they have so much in common. He says: “We’re both similar characters.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else to tour with.”

And do the duo get nervous before going out on stage?

“I don’t get nervous at all,” says Brian.

“The last time I can remember being nervous on stage was in 2004.

“I was just about to go out and give my first live solo performance.

“Keith doesn’t seem to get nervous now either, although he did for the first six months of Boyzlife.

“It was harder for him because he sang less solos in Boyzone than he does as part of Boyzlife.”

The experienced Dublin duo are sure to put on a great show for fans next month. Audiences can expect a great sing-along evening and the chance to see two of Ireland’s greatest boyband members belting out their greatest hits.

Boyzlife play the O2 Academy Oxford, Cowley Road, tomorrow. Tickets from ticketmaster.co.uk