Westlife star Nicky Byrne has said that the group wouldn't have released an album this year if it wasn't for Simon Cowell's help and encouragement.
Speaking to RTÉ.ie, the singer said of 'X Factor' judge Cowell: "What he is with us is... he's honest.
"What he sees is what he says. But we've a good relationship with him, especially this year, even stronger. This is our eleventh year with him."
Speaking about how the new album came about, he said: "We had a big meeting with him in August in his house in Beverly Hills... It's a tiny little house... By the time you walk around it you're tired!
"It was a great meeting and it was real positive.
"He kind of heard where we were coming from and agreed with it and was on the same page and that's how we got working on this album.
"Otherwise there wouldn't have been an album for Westlife this year."
