Westlife tip Niall to go all the way with One Direction

The Mullingar crooner, who came home this week for a flying visit, is widely expected to make it through to the final.

Westlife star Mark Feehily, right, who'll perform with the band on the show this Sunday, has said he believes that the group are the strongest boyband in the history of the show.

Although Simon Cowell's one remaining act is in direct competition with their manager Louis Walsh's remaining artists Mary Byrne and Wagner, Mark believes they have what it takes.

"It's such a cool show this year. There's no Leona as such, but there are some really cool, credible pop acts," said Mark.

"I think Cher makes the competition very interesting and you've the exciting boyband thing with One Direction --they're the strongest boyband X Factor's ever had."

His bandmate Shane Filan described them as having "the whole package".

"They're good singers, they're good-looking lads and they're quite cool. They're like a band full of Justin Biebers and they've got everything the girls will love," he explained. "They've got everything a boyband should have."

However, the Irish chart-toppers have insisted that they are not concerned about the threat from new boybands such as The Wanted or the reformed Take That, who will also perform on this Sunday's X Factor.

"It's good for pop music," says Shane. "There's room for everybody. We're all selling concert tickets and records and it's great."

mfinn@herald.ie