Now gay Westlife star wants to be dad

The singer wants to follow in the footsteps of Elton John, who became a father with partner David Furnish when they used a surrogate mother to conceive their son Zachary.

Feehily (below) came out as gay in 2005 when Westlife were at the pinnacle of the worldwide success. He lives with boyfriend Kevin McDaid and said he is looking forward to marrying him but they have not finalised a date.

"I'd like to think I'd be a good dad. It's the dream for me that surpasses everything else, to nurture and to bring up a kid and try and teach them all the right things."

The Sligo-born star added: "Even knowing I was gay before I came out I still wanted to be a father."

aokeeffe@herald.ie