By Josephine Agostino
Brian McFadden still remembers how, as a young boy in Ireland, he yearned to one day become a professional footballer. Instead — and to the delight of millions of female fans — his other wish of becoming a pop star was granted. After success with boy band Westlife, the 28-year-old father of two has a burgeoning solo career and new life in Australia with fiancée Delta Goodrem, 23. Now he’s hosting Football Superstar, a reality show that sees 15 soccer hot shots vying for an A-League contract.
Congratulations on your new role with Football Superstar. Are you a fan of the sport?
Soccer’s always been my number one sport.
As a boy, did you want to be a professional player?
Every Irish boy wants to play for Manchester United or Liverpool or Arsenal.
Do you have a football idol?
My favourite footballer of all time is Roy Keane. He’s an Irish player.
Have you become a fan of Aussie football — AFL or rugby league?
I’m not really a rugby fan, but I love AFL, I’m a Collingwood fan. What I like about AFL is that there are different teams that are in the running to win it every year, not like football where you have two or three teams who are in contention every single year. It makes it a bit more competitive.
Do people assume you are a romantic because of the ballad you wrote about Delta, Like Only A Woman Can?
Not at all. Maybe before, but not now. I’m a songwriter and that’s just one song I’ve written. When they hear the rest of my songs they’ll realise there’s more to the album than just love songs. I was growing up with bands like Guns’ n’ Roses, Nirvana and Metallica, that’s what pop music was to me.
What are your girls like?
They love Duffy. When they came over here they are big fans of The Veronicas.
Do you they like your new album?
Yeah, they love it. They love Delta’s stuff, even more than my songs. They just love hearing her voice I think.
You’ve been able to share Australia with them this year. Did they enjoy being in Sydney?
They love it, they can’t wait to come back. They think it’s great.
Football Superstar screens Thursdays at 7.30pm on Foxtel’s Fox8 channel.
For more of this interview, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on sale June 16).
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