For me, it's never been about being famous. I just want to be a successful singer. I wanna work hard... If I'm in the papers, grace, but I want to be there for the right reasons - for my music.

I put all my eggs in one basket and invested in property. I didn’t do anything internationally – it was all in Ireland.

Capitol Records were very keen for me to write and see how I got on; I think that is what defined my sound. The first session I had was with two young up-and-coming writers, Nick Atkinson and Tom Wilding, and I went into a session a bit nervous because I hadn’t written that many songs before.

Working on solo material is something I had always dreamed of doing, and I’m incredibly happy with the results. ‘Everything To Me’ is a very personal song to me lyrically; it is such an upbeat and optimistic record, perfect for the summer. I can’t wait for people to hear it!

When I had money, I felt pressure, whether it was to invest it or do good with it, and I couldn’t let it fizzle out. It was like I needed to prove to myself that I could look after it, only I did the opposite, but you have to take a chance in life.

I worry about putting food on the table, paying for my kids needs, their college fees in years to come. It’s about earning enough to have a living to be able to look after your children.

After Westlife, I was in a scared place, you know; you’ve three children, and I worry about providing for them, and I had no guarantees going forward about the future.

I don’t think about success to be famous, because I’ve done that at the highest level, but it’s all about my children.

You’ve got to go down the road you naturally go down, and for me it was pop, folk country, just feel-good music. I suppose most of my songs are very up-tempo.

Yes, it’s true, I have bought a helicopter. I really like it. I can’t fly it, but I plan to get a licence one day.