Tragedy Rocks Westlife
20 Jul 2009
Kian's Father Loses Battle With Cancer
By Kathryn Rogers
Westlife star Kian Egan is in mourning after his father Kevin lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning.
Kian (29) and his family had been maintaining a vigil by their dad's bedside in Sligo after he slipped into a coma several days ago.
His dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour in Beaumont hospital in Dublin last year.
Kian's grieving mym Patricia, his three sisters Marielle, Vivienne and Fenella and three brothers, Tom, Gavin and Colm are now organising the funeral.
Devastated
The pop star was devastated when his dad was too unwell to travel to Barbados for his wedding to stunning pop singer Jodi Albert in May.
However, his father insisted that none of the plans for the big day were changed and the couple were surrounded by the rest of his family when they wed on May 8.
Kian paid tribute to his ill dad Kevin - an electrician by profession - at the wedding.
He told the ctowd: "I would like us to remember all those who aren't able to be with us here today, especially my dad who is in my thoughts."
Jodi acknowledged her husband's loss yesterday.
Fame
She wrote on her Twitter site: "Loves her husband so much and is so lucky to have him in her life... hopes to bring him happier days."
Kian has always been close to his dad and has said his music-loving parents set him on the road to fame.
Credit/Source: The Irish Star
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Westlifer's Father Loses Cancer Fight
20 Jul 2009
Kian Was At Dad's Bedside As He Slowly Slipped Away
Westlife star Kian Egan watched his beloved father Kevin die from cancer yesterday.
By Fiona Wynne and Jennifer O'Brien
The brave dad of seven had slipped into a come last week and was surrounded by his family when he passed away in Sligo hospital.
Kian, 29, his mum Patricia, and his six siblings are said to be "devastated but coping".
A source close to the pop singer said: "Kevin has been sick for quite some time so the family have had a chance to come to terms with things as much as possible.
"That said, they are all devastated and upset that their much-loved father and husband has passed away after a brave fight."
Recently retired ESB worker Kevin was first rushed to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin in September 2008. The family revealed a short time later that he had the Big C.
They have ever since remained very private about the details of his illness.
Doting
The keen golfer, in his mid-60s, was too ill to travel to Kian's wedding to former Hollyoaks babe Jodi Albert, 25, in Barbados in May.
But the doting dad was determined his absence wouldn't ruin his son's big day - and he sent an emotional message from his hospital bed in his native Sligo.
It's believed Kevin fell into a coma on Tuesday and the family had been keeping vigil at his bedside ever since.
Kian, who is on a year off from Westlife, told pals he's greatful he got to spend quality time with his dad before he lost him.
The source said: "Had Kian been working as normal with Westlife he could've been anywhere in the world. He would not have been able to be at home with his dad and his family for the past year.
"He appreciated the fact he had that opportunity to be with his father during the final weeks.
"Kian is one of seven and the family is very close and they will all help and support each other and their beloved mother."
Support
"Jodi has been with Kian as much as possible, too, and while she was away in Jersey recording her band's first single earlier in the week, she is sure to have jetted in to be with the Egans."
In May, Kian's mum Patricia, his three brothers Tom, Gavin and Colm and his sisters Marielle, Vivienne and Fenella attended his wedding in the Carebbean.
An emotional Kian said his father was the first person he called after he tied the knot.
And during the speeches Tom read out a letter that Kevin has sent.
It read: "I'm sorry I can't be there. It wasn't for the want of trying. But the nurses here in Sligo are keeping me busy. Jodi, I'm delighted to welcome you into our large and colourful family.
"Even though I am not there in body I am very much in spirit."
Credit/Source: The Irish Sun
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Kian's Dad Loses Cancer Battle
20 Jul 2009
DEVASTATED - Westlife Kian's Grief As Dad Dies Of Cancer
By Paul Martin
Heartbroken Westlife star Kian Egan was being comforted by his wife Jodi Albert last night as he came to terms with the death of his father.
The star, 29, dashed to his beloved dad Kevin's bedside last week when his health took a turn for the worse.
"They are all supporting each other. The Egans are a very close family and they will all be there for each other at this difficult time."
Kevin had been battling cancer for nearly a year and his family were by his side as he slipped away at Sligo General Hospital on Saturday night.
Only two months ago he wrote a touching tribute to Kian which was read at his spectacular wedding to 26-year-old actress Jodi in Barbados.
He was too ill to travel to the ceremony but urged Kian to go ahead with the celebration and "Have the time of his life".
Kian's mum Patricia was by Kevin's side along with Kian's brothers Tom, Gavin and Colm and Sisters Marielle, Vivienne and Fenella.
The singer had always maintained an extremely close relationship with his dad as he toured the world with Westlife over the past 10 years.
Memories
He regularly flew his parents over to concerts to spend time with them and he continued to live in Sligo as the band hit the big time.
A family friend added yesterday: "There's no secret that Kian is a complete family man so obviously it's hitting him very hard.
"Jodi is being an absolute rock for him and all his brothers and sisters are getting amazing support and goodwill from their friends and extended family.
All the children want to be there for their mum to help her through the difficult days ahead."
Kian's bandmates and manager Louis Walsh have also rallied around to extend their sympathies.
Credit/Source: The Irish Daily Mirror
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Westlife star Kian's sorrow
Following a year-long battle with cancer, Kevin Egan father of Westlife star Kian Egan died at the weekend. He was surrounded by close members of his family at his home on Sligo's Strandhill Road.
The family had been informed of his imminent demise following a severe downturn in his health last week.
A moving and emotional tribute letter to his son, Kian, was read out at Kian and Jodi Albert's recent Carrabean wedding in which he told kian to 'have the time of his life'
Kian's mother, Patricia was with Kevin when he passed peacefully away. Also present was Kian's brothers Tom, Gavin and Colm and sisters Marielle, Vivienne and Fenella.
The Westlife singer was extremely close to his dad, he and Kian's mother regularly attended many overseas concerts by the popular group.
The funeral service is today at noon in Sligo's Cathedral followed by buriel afterwards in St.Patrick's Cemetry, Sligo.
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