
Nicky Byrne HQ
byNicky Byrne
MusicSocietyCultureTVFilm
Ever wondered what it's like to navigate the world of pop and entertainment from the inside? Join Nicky Byrne, member of the 55+ million-selling group Westlife, as he takes you behind the scenes in his brand-new podcast, Nicky Byrne HQ. With a career spanning decades, Nicky has seen it all and has plenty of stories to share from his unique perspective as both a performer and presenter.Between TV shows, stadium tours, and countless flights, Nicky rarely gets the chance to sit down and truly connect with the fascinating people he meets. Now, from his state-of-the-art home HQ studio, he finally...
Episodes(40 episodes)
Episode 76
Yvonne Byrne - Mum’s The Word
Nicky sits down with his mum, Yvonne Byrne, for a chat about family, values and the moments that matter most. From raising a young family to watching her son step into the spotlight, Yvonne reflects on love, resilience and the lessons that stay with you for life.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, Peter Andre, Coleen Rooney, James McClean, Katie McCabe, Joss Stone, Alex Brooker, Tom Grennan, Five, Brian...
Published: Mar 19, 2026Duration: 1h 29m 9s
Episode 75
December 10 - From Netflix Dream to Boy Band Reality
This week on Nicky Byrne HQ, Nicky chats to members of December 10, the seven-piece boy band created by Simon Cowell for the Netflix series of the same name. The group opens up about how the band came together, the experience of forming in front of the cameras, and what life has been like since the show launched. Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, Peter Andre, Coleen Rooney, James McClean, K...
Published: Mar 12, 2026Duration: 59m 3s
Episode 74
Ken Doherty - The Night Ireland Stopped for Snooker
This week on Nicky Byrne HQ, Nicky chats to 1997 World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty about the remarkable journey to winning the title at the Crucible. Ken looks back on the pressure of that run, the mindset needed to stay calm under the spotlight, and the incredible welcome he received when he brought the trophy home to Dublin. He also reflects on discovering snooker as a young kid, the early days practising in local clubs, and the lasting influence of his father and family along the way.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association...
Published: Mar 5, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 6s
Episode 73
Big Zuu - Cooking, Culture and THAT Soccer Aid Goal
Nicky sits down with West London rapper, DJ and presenter Big Zuu for a conversation about graft, gratitude and growth. He talks about coming up in West London, the early days of making music, and how opportunities began to open up beyond what he first imagined. We also relive THAT Soccer Aid goal, the buzz of the moment and what it meant to step onto that pitch.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with...
Published: Feb 26, 2026Duration: 44m 54s
Episode 72
Jenny Greene - The story behind our 2FM years
Nicky sits down with one of Ireland’s greatest DJs and his former radio partner, Jenny Greene, for a nostalgic and honest conversation about chemistry, chaos and chasing music from a young age. From growing up in Shankill with a Walkman and a love of Paul Simon to five unforgettable years together on RTÉ 2FM, Jenny reflects on creativity, confidence and why the best radio moments can’t be scripted.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past...
Published: Feb 19, 2026Duration: 1h 57m 27s
Episode 71
Ian “H” Watkins - From Steps stardom to finding his own canvas
Nicky sits down with Ian H Watkins for a chat about pop fame, burnout and reinventing yourself. From the whirlwind years of Steps to stepping away at the height of success, H reflects on pressure, parenthood and returning to his first love, art. A revealing insight into life inside one of Britain’s biggest pop bands and what it takes to start again.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, Pe...
Published: Feb 12, 2026Duration: 1h 11m 41s
Episode 70
Loren Allred - From The Greatest Showman to performing with Westlife
Nicky sits down with singer Loren Allred, best known as the voice behind The Greatest Showman. From global success with Never Enough to performing live with Westlife, Loren opens up about patience, resilience and finally owning her moment.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, James McClean, Katie McCabe, Joss Stone, Alex Brooker, Tom Grennan, Five, Brian McFadden, Katie Price, Michael Flatley, Jo O'Meara, Martin Compston, Chris Kamara, Louis Walsh...
Published: Feb 5, 2026Duration: 1h 9m 41s
Episode 69
Peter Andre - From Mysterious Girl to What Matters Now
This week on Nicky Byrne HQ, Nicky chats to Peter Andre about the journey from Mysterious Girl to where life has taken him since. Peter speaks openly about anxiety, confidence, fame, and fatherhood, reflecting on the lessons learned along the way and why the drive to keep creating never really fades.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, James McClean, Katie McCabe, Joss Stone, Alex Brooker, Tom Grennan, Five, Brian...
Published: Jan 29, 2026Duration: 57m 45s
Episode 68
Mark Goldbridge - The man behind The United Stand
Nicky sits down with Mark Goldbridge for a conversation about football, criticism and finding a new voice. From office jobs in Dublin to building The United Stand into one of the biggest football shows on YouTube, Mark opens up about pressure and the realities of modern fandom. A fascinating insight into the mindset behind one of the game’s most influential fan voices.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, Ja...
Published: Jan 22, 2026Duration: 1h 2m 41s
Episode 67
Rhasidat Adeleke - What it takes to be Ireland’s fastest woman
Nicky sits down with Irish sprint star Rhasidat Adeleke for a powerful conversation about discipline, disappointment and self-belief. From breaking records to narrowly missing Olympic glory, Rhasidat opens up about injury, pressure and what keeps her moving forward. An inspiring insight into the mindset behind Ireland’s fastest woman.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Harrington, James McClean, Katie McCabe, Joss Stone, Alex Brooker, Tom Grennan, Five, Brian McFadden, Katie Pr...
Published: Jan 15, 2026Duration: 59m 53s
Episode 66
Kingfishr - How Killeagh became the song of the year
Nicky sits down with Kingfishr at a remarkable moment in their story. Just hours after finding out they had secured the Christmas #1 spot in Ireland with both their single Killeagh and debut album Halcyon, the band reflect on the whirlwind rise from college housemates to one of the most exciting acts in Irish music. They talk about meeting at university, finding their sound, life on the road, and how shared pressure, friendship and honesty have helped them navigate sudden success.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions....
Published: Jan 8, 2026Duration: 1h 6m 20s
Episode 65
NBHQ New Year's Day 2026 - Westlife News & Coleen Rooney
In this special New Year's Day episode, Nicky takes a moment to thank everyone who has listened, shared and supported the podcast in 2025, looks ahead to the Westlife tour in 2026, and revisits one of our favourite conversations of the year. Recorded earlier in 2025, this classic chat with Coleen Rooney is warm, honest and full of laughs. Coleen reflects on her life and career, from her childhood in Liverpool to navigating fame alongside football legend Wayne Rooney, and opens up about her time in the I'm a Celebrity jungle, her new wellness collaboration, and the realities of raising four boys...
Published: Jan 1, 2026Duration: 1h 10m 56s
Episode 64
NBHQ Christmas 2025 - Thank You & Tony Mortimer
In this special Christmas episode, we take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has listened, shared and supported the podcast in 2025, before revisiting one of the conversations that means the most to Nicky. Recorded during the early days of the show, this classic chat with Tony Mortimer is honest, funny and deeply moving. Tony reflects on his life and career with East 17, and opens up about the true story behind Stay Another Day, a song that became a Christmas number one and went on to mean far more than chart success.Nicky Byrne...
Published: Dec 25, 2025Duration: 1h 57m 20s
Episode 63
Lee Brennan - Somebody call 911
Nicky sits down with Lee Brennan, lead singer of 90s hitmakers 911, for a conversation about ambition, identity and resilience. From growing up in Carlisle and chasing a dream with nothing but a letter to a radio station, Lee reflects on the whirlwind rise of 911, global success, and the pressures that came with boyband fame. He opens up about surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice as a child, the impact it had on his confidence, and the mental health struggles that followed the band’s split. Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Prod...
Published: Dec 18, 2025Duration: 59m 1s
Episode 62
Katherine Jenkins - How a Welsh singer conquered the classical world
Nicky sits down with global classical superstar Katherine Jenkins for a warm and revealing conversation about music, motherhood and the moments that shaped her extraordinary career. From her early break as a young singer from Neath to becoming the world’s most successful classical crossover artist, Katherine reflects on the highs, the challenges and the personal losses that pushed her forward. This episode contains references to Cygnet Gin. These references reflect the guest’s own work and experience. This is not a paid promotion.Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Produ...
Published: Dec 11, 2025Duration: 1h 2m 9s
Episode 61
Paul Sinton-Hewitt - How a broken runner built a movement
Nicky sits down with Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE, the founder of parkrun, for an extraordinary conversation about resilience, community, and the power of small beginnings. From a difficult childhood in South Africa’s care system to injury and burnout in his forties, Paul shares how losing his ability to run led him to create a simple Saturday-morning time trial that would change millions of lives. Nicky Byrne HQ is produced by Studz Entertainments in association with SwanMcG Productions.Nicky Byrne HQ is out every Thursday. Listen to all past episodes with Gary Barlow, Kellie Ha...
Published: Dec 4, 2025Duration: 1h 4m 6s
Episode 60
Samia Longchambon - How 25 years on Coronation Street shaped her life
Nicky sits down with actor and Coronation Street favourite Samia Longchambon for a heartfelt chat about family, fame and finding balance. Celebrating 25 years as Maria Connor on Corrie, Samia shares memories from her early days on set, what it’s like growing up in Manchester with show-business parents, and the lessons she’s learned from decades on one of TV’s most-loved shows. She opens up about living with anxiety since childhood, how therapy, reflexology and yoga have helped her stay grounded, and why she’s passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health.Nicky Byrne HQ is pr...
Published: Nov 27, 2025Duration: 1h 1m 50s
Episode 59
Livi Sheldon - Gladiators, setbacks and standing tall
Nicky catches up with athlete and BBC Gladiator Livi Sheldon, known to millions as “Diamond.” In this conversation, Livi opens up about growing up as a sporty kid who didn’t fit in, being bullied for her height, and how fitness helped her find confidence. She talks about her journey from personal training to bodybuilding, and the incredible moment she became a Gladiator. Livi also shares the reality of recovering from a devastating ACL injury, how she stays positive through rehab, and the lessons she’s learned about resilience, discipline and self-belief. Nicky Byrne HQ is produced...
Published: Nov 20, 2025Duration: 58m 0s
Episode 58
The NBHQ Yearbook - Anniversary Edition
A year of conversations, stories, and special moments. In this anniversary edition, Nicky looks back at some of the standout guests who dropped by the HQ over the past twelve months. From music legends to sporting icons and unforgettable personalities, this is a celebration of the moments that made the year. Featuring highlights from Martin Compston, Jill Scott, Gary Barlow, Coleen Rooney, Ronan Keating, Katie Price, Tony Mortimer, Chris Kamara, Jo O’Meara, Louis Walsh, Shay Given, Katie McCabe, and Michael Flatley. A perfect catch up for long time listeners and a brilliant starting point for new fans. Jump in...
Published: Nov 13, 2025Duration: 44m 25s
Episode 57
James McClean - From football fields to the fight game
Nicky sits down with Irish footballer James McClean for a raw and revealing conversation about life, loyalty and life after football. From growing up in Derry to earning over 100 caps for Ireland, James reflects on the pride, pressure and passion that have defined his career. He opens up about the highs of representing his country, his honest views on the current Irish team and what needs to change, and the controversies that shaped his journey. Now turning his attention to the boxing ring, James talks about what drives him to compete, the mindset it takes to start over, and...
Published: Nov 6, 2025Duration: 1h 12m 59s