Westlife were shown clips from one of their first interviews ever as a band — when they went by a completely different name.

For the first year or so of their existence, Nicky, Kian, Shane, Mark, and Brian were known as Westside — before they discovered that a band of the same name already existed, causing them to change their name to Westlife.

While, of course, the rest, as they say, is history, there have been a few appearances by the band under their old name — including in the UK, where they all appeared on Whatever You Want, presented by Gabby Roslin.

Westlife were shown clips from one of their first interviews ever as a band — when they went by a completely different name. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Kian, Nicky, and Shane appeared on Gaby’s Magic FM radio show on Saturday morning, where Gaby shared clips from the fivesome — then known as Westside — that had appeared on the show in 1998.

‘You were presenting it,’ Shane told Gaby. ‘That’s what I had the flashback to. I couldn’t remember what show it was.’

Gaby then got emotional as she discussed the show, saying that the lads were an ‘absolute delight’ to have on her show, and once again, nearly three decades later.

Westlife, 1990s
The then-five-piece band went by Westside when they first started, before changing their name after learning that another band already used that name. Pic: Gareth Davies/Getty Images

The clip from the show showed Brian, Nicky, Kian, Shane, and Mark sticking their heads out of a limo as Gaby handed them cue cards — with people loving the throwback to Gaby and the boys.

‘Watched “Westside” support Boyzone all those years ago on the first tour,’ one person commented. ‘They were so good. Mainly acapella in those days x,’ while another added: ‘This is soo beautiful. Gaby is so down-to-earth and relatable.’

While Kian, Shane, and Nicky are preparing for their latest residency in the 3Arena in September (Mark is still on hiatus from the band due to illness), they were shown another throwback under a different name — their first Late Late Show appearance.

The fivesome performed their legendary single, Flying Without Wings, nearly one year before the single’s official release, with Nicky reminiscing on just how big the gig was for all of the lads.

‘Appearing on the Late Late Show meant everything to us growing up,’ Nicky wrote in a comment on the video of the performance. ‘It meant everything to everyone in Ireland.’

‘What a moment for us.’