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Westlife fans leave book signing in tears
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| Westlife at Lakeside |
SCORES of Westlife fans have complained about the way a book signing event was held in Lakeside shopping centre.
More than 1,000 devotees of the Irish band queued for up to ten hours at the centre to meet the chart-topping band, and get copies signed of their new autobiography, Our Story, signed on Monday evening.
However, many fans were left in tears after being turned away because they had not bought their books from WH Smith, which organised the signing.
Mel Bailey, 23, from Woodford, arrived at Lakeside at 7.30am to ensure she was among the first in the queue to meet band members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan.
She said: "I took my mum and I have to say I was absolutely disgusted with the way we were treated."
"We waited for ten hours only to be barked orders at by Westlife's security guards like we were stalkers or something.
"All we wanted to do was to meet the band we have followed for a decade.
"We had bought our books from Woolworths for £12, but it wasn't until we were in the queue we were told we had to get them from WH Smith for £15, and produce a receipt, or we wouldn't get them signed.
"We had to rush off to buy extra copies from WH Smith, and we weren't the only ones. I think this was a terrible way to treat fans, to squeeze as much money as possible out of us."
She added: "When we got to the front of the queue our handbags were abruptly pulled off us and thrown into a pile on the floor, in case we had cameras.
"Then we were told to have our books open at a certain page, or the band wouldn't sign them.
"The whole time we were shouted at like we were stupid children who were a burden to the band."
Mum-of-one and stalwart Westlife fan, Charlotte Miller, 33, from East Tilbury, was also unhappy.
She said: "I saw people in tears because they weren't allowed to have their photos taken with the band, or because they were turned away for not having a
WH Smith receipt.
"My feelings towards Westlife have definitely changed after this."
Rowena Campbell, Lakeside spokeswoman, said the book signing was organised by WH Smith and it was made clear before the event books must be bought from the store.
She added: "Fans were also advised to arrive early, because Westlife would only be at Lakeside for an hour.
"It meant time and numbers of books that could be signed were limited."
A spokesman for WH Smith, who refused to be named, added: "As far as we know the book signing went well and fans were pleased.
"We will, however, be looking into any complaints."
6:45am Thursday 19th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Vasiliki on 7:14am Thu 19 Jun 08
It's sad that security treated people that way but I don't see why the fan's feeling for Westlife are not the same. It's not like it was up to them. They could be there for an hour only and were trying to fit as many people as possible. And if the signing was at WH Smith I bet it's because there was an agreement so that WH Smith will benefit from it. If everyone was buying the book at Woolworths or somewhere else and was heading to WH Smith for the signing what would be the point for WH Smith to have a Westlife signing there. The only parts I agree with the fan is about the way they were treated.
It's sad that security treated people that way but I don't see why the fan's feeling for Westlife are not the same. It's not like it was up to them. They could be there for an hour only and were trying to fit as many people as possible. And if the signing was at WH Smith I bet it's because there was an agreement so that WH Smith will benefit from it. If everyone was buying the book at Woolworths or somewhere else and was heading to WH Smith for the signing what would be the point for WH Smith to have a Westlife signing there. The only parts I agree with the fan is about the way they were treated.
Posted by: peter, canvey on 9:10am Thu 19 Jun 08
i would say unless you want to your book from wh smiths i would buy my books cds dvds from play . com you will find they are cheaper than any of thease greedy shops and you can get it the same day has they are released with free postage and with no thugs thease groups employ it would teach the greedy shops a leson
i would say unless you want to your book from wh smiths i would buy my books cds dvds from play . com you will find they are cheaper than any of thease greedy shops and you can get it the same day has they are released with free postage and with no thugs thease groups employ it would teach the greedy shops a leson
Posted by: mat, bas on 9:28am Thu 19 Jun 08
i have to say i cant see the problem with the signing ok u was rushed along but everyone knew westlife were only there for an hour i waited 6 hours for my other half as she couldn't get there her self and it was made very clear u had to buy the book from smiths so stop moaning at least u got to see them
i have to say i cant see the problem with the signing ok u was rushed along but everyone knew westlife were only there for an hour i waited 6 hours for my other half as she couldn't get there her self and it was made very clear u had to buy the book from smiths so stop moaning at least u got to see them
Posted by: betty swallocks, g1ts on 10:06am Thu 19 Jun 08
why would you want to meet the bunch of irish batty's anyway there shat!! come on grow up you not kidzz act your bloomin ages for christ sake, your making these pork swords have a big head there crap!!
why would you want to meet the bunch of irish batty's anyway there shat!! come on grow up you not kidzz act your bloomin ages for christ sake, your making these pork swords have a big head there crap!!
Posted by: ANON, Manchester on 11:02am Thu 19 Jun 08
It is unfair Westlife are getting negtive feedback from this. It is not their fault. It is obviously the shops procedures, not Westlife's. I went to the Manchester signing. Could not have pictures with the band, this was clear from the outset, but we could take cameras, which they happily posed for. It was also clear only 250 ppl would be guaranteed entry, so those after that did not need to stay for disappointment. I queued for 13 hours to see them, and it was worth every minute!
It is unfair Westlife are getting negtive feedback from this. It is not their fault. It is obviously the shops procedures, not Westlife's. I went to the Manchester signing. Could not have pictures with the band, this was clear from the outset, but we could take cameras, which they happily posed for. It was also clear only 250 ppl would be guaranteed entry, so those after that did not need to stay for disappointment. I queued for 13 hours to see them, and it was worth every minute!
Posted by: Michelle, Isleworth Middlesex on 11:51am Thu 19 Jun 08
I went to the Piccadily signing and was very pleased with the organisation of it and the lads were a pleasure to meet. We were told we couldnt have photos with the lads, but could take photos once we had our cooks signed. They cant have photos with everyone or there would be little time for the signing. Also of course you have to buy the book from them thats how they make their money after all
I went to the Piccadily signing and was very pleased with the organisation of it and the lads were a pleasure to meet. We were told we couldnt have photos with the lads, but could take photos once we had our cooks signed. They cant have photos with everyone or there would be little time for the signing. Also of course you have to buy the book from them thats how they make their money after all
Posted by: Clare, Basildon on 3:07pm Thu 19 Jun 08
I went to the Lakeside signing on Monday and really enjoyed seeing the boys. It was a shame it was so rushed but at the end of they day, a lot more of their fans would of missed out if they hadn't. It's common sense to buy the book from WH Smith seeing as they were the company who organised the whole thing, if it weren't for them, they wouldn't of been there anyway.
I went to the Lakeside signing on Monday and really enjoyed seeing the boys. It was a shame it was so rushed but at the end of they day, a lot more of their fans would of missed out if they hadn't. It's common sense to buy the book from WH Smith seeing as they were the company who organised the whole thing, if it weren't for them, they wouldn't of been there anyway.
Posted by: linz on 3:44pm Thu 19 Jun 08
Dont forget its not Westlife's fault. Its their security, they are awful. Their old security guards were never as bad as these. I totally understand why people were upset but you cant blame the 4 guys, if it was up to them personally Im sure it wouldnt go that way.
Dont forget its not Westlife's fault. Its their security, they are awful. Their old security guards were never as bad as these. I totally understand why people were upset but you cant blame the 4 guys, if it was up to them personally Im sure it wouldnt go that way.
Posted by: alison, west midlands on 4:43pm Thu 19 Jun 08
well, i travelled up from birmingham to get to liverpool, at 5am in the morning!!, i wanted to see westlife so badly. These fans, and i use the term lightly, do nothing but moan, GET A GRIP !!.. do you honestly think that westlife woke up that morning and said, 'ok lads, lets really pee off our fans '...NO. is the answer, of course you have to buy the book from that store, you obviously knew, as you were told this by all the staff, we were told at leaset 8 times in the 7 hours we waited there, you just wanted to save a couple of quid!! shame on you. complain to the store, there rules, nothing to do with the lads, and if you dont like queing to see four fab men then, move on to a grunge band, who wont give a monkey about you or your couple of quid.
well, i travelled up from birmingham to get to liverpool, at 5am in the morning!!, i wanted to see westlife so badly. These fans, and i use the term lightly, do nothing but moan, GET A GRIP !!.. do you honestly think that westlife woke up that morning and said, 'ok lads, lets really pee off our fans '...NO. is the answer, of course you have to buy the book from that store, you obviously knew, as you were told this by all the staff, we were told at leaset 8 times in the 7 hours we waited there, you just wanted to save a couple of quid!! shame on you. complain to the store, there rules, nothing to do with the lads, and if you dont like queing to see four fab men then, move on to a grunge band, who wont give a monkey about you or your couple of quid.
Posted by: chloe on 7:38pm Thu 19 Jun 08
i was at a book signing today in belfast and waited in line for westlife for 6 hours! when they finally came they didnt even stay the whole hour or come out the front they sneakied out the back! it wasnt fair as i went to a lot of trouble just to buy the book because you werent allowed to get them to sign anything else. THE STAFF DIDNT TREAT YOU THE NICEST EITHER!!!!
i was at a book signing today in belfast and waited in line for westlife for 6 hours! when they finally came they didnt even stay the whole hour or come out the front they sneakied out the back! it wasnt fair as i went to a lot of trouble just to buy the book because you werent allowed to get them to sign anything else. THE STAFF DIDNT TREAT YOU THE NICEST EITHER!!!!
Posted by: daniel, ballycastle on 10:13pm Thu 19 Jun 08
I was at the belfast signing and i qued from 11pm the nite before! it was the best thing ever, the staff wer friendly and we were all told about buying the book from easons etc. Anyone that qued without a wristband did so at their own risk of not gettin to see the lads and the DID stay for the whole hour by the way! the had to sneek out the back at they would have been mobbed by the 4,000 fans standing out the front! makes sense
I was at the belfast signing and i qued from 11pm the nite before! it was the best thing ever, the staff wer friendly and we were all told about buying the book from easons etc. Anyone that qued without a wristband did so at their own risk of not gettin to see the lads and the DID stay for the whole hour by the way! the had to sneek out the back at they would have been mobbed by the 4,000 fans standing out the front! makes sense
Posted by: who cares, billericay on 8:57am Fri 20 Jun 08
I'm more shocked with the lady's in their 30's queing up to see a boyband as if they are teenagers again. These ladies really need to get a life and stop stalking these lads. You are all moaning but you still support them which is so stupid, have you forgotten that the band is earning a living and don't give a **** about the silly people who have been queing since the previous day. It's common sense, they are making money by the fools who buy their crappy songs and now you all rush to buy their book which some-one else wrote for them, but you lot think they wrote page for page, how gullible are you's.
I'm more shocked with the lady's in their 30's queing up to see a boyband as if they are teenagers again. These ladies really need to get a life and stop stalking these lads. You are all moaning but you still support them which is so stupid, have you forgotten that the band is earning a living and don't give a **** about the silly people who have been queing since the previous day. It's common sense, they are making money by the fools who buy their crappy songs and now you all rush to buy their book which some-one else wrote for them, but you lot think they wrote page for page, how gullible are you's.
Posted by: susannah, leeds on 11:04am Fri 20 Jun 08
i cudnt make it to the signing but westlfie do care abt the fans.. they hv said it now n again.. many nay think its a cliche but they do care.. n remember its not westlife's fault that the fans got rushed or that they hd only an hour to do the signin.. n why dyu think whsmith wud go thru all the trouble to arrange the signin if fans were to buy the buks from sumat else.. it doesnt take a genius to figure out u kno.. n i am appaled to hear tht ppl's feelings hv changed bcuz of tht it not wl's fault.. they cant decide hw the security treat ppl.. n if u cudnt bear it ..it jus shows hw true a fan u r,, doesnt it.. n i think all the ppl hu actually just evn got there shud b thankful tht they atleast caught a glimpse of the gorgeous lads... n i still say stop moaning abt it n blamin it on westlife.. b grateful tht they actually evn bothered to arrange signings[bold]bold[/bold]
i cudnt make it to the signing but westlfie do care abt the fans.. they hv said it now n again.. many nay think its a cliche but they do care.. n remember its not westlife's fault that the fans got rushed or that they hd only an hour to do the signin.. n why dyu think whsmith wud go thru all the trouble to arrange the signin if fans were to buy the buks from sumat else.. it doesnt take a genius to figure out u kno.. n i am appaled to hear tht ppl's feelings hv changed bcuz of tht it not wl's fault.. they cant decide hw the security treat ppl.. n if u cudnt bear it ..it jus shows hw true a fan u r,, doesnt it.. n i think all the ppl hu actually just evn got there shud b thankful tht they atleast caught a glimpse of the gorgeous lads... n i still say stop moaning abt it n blamin it on westlife.. b grateful tht they actually evn bothered to arrange signings
Posted by: munnu, india on 8:25am Sat 21 Jun 08
hey .... people... know what ..!!! westlife is one ruling band indeed ... one unmatched.....
hey .... people... know what ..!!! westlife is one ruling band indeed ... one unmatched.....
Posted by: Linzi, Scotland on 4:15pm Sun 22 Jun 08
I went to the signing in Manchester...and have to say, the security and staff there were really nice and helpful, they tried so hard to ensure that as many fans as possible would be seen. There was a bit of bother with a lot of selfish people skipping the queue as soon as it moved, meaning that the people i was with ended up near the back. After reporting this to the security staff of the Trafford Centre, they allowed us to go forward, in front of all the people who had turned up at the last minute and jumped the queue. The trouble was reported to Westlife, who agreed to sign 100 more books. So i think for anyone to say that they dont care about their fans is a lot of crap. They were at Manchester for double the time they were supposed to be. And people who were treated badly be security - that has nothing to do with Westlife. I really do think some people just moan for the sake of it at times.
I went to the signing in Manchester...and have to say, the security and staff there were really nice and helpful, they tried so hard to ensure that as many fans as possible would be seen. There was a bit of bother with a lot of selfish people skipping the queue as soon as it moved, meaning that the people i was with ended up near the back. After reporting this to the security staff of the Trafford Centre, they allowed us to go forward, in front of all the people who had turned up at the last minute and jumped the queue. The trouble was reported to Westlife, who agreed to sign 100 more books. So i think for anyone to say that they dont care about their fans is a lot of crap. They were at Manchester for double the time they were supposed to be. And people who were treated badly be security - that has nothing to do with Westlife. I really do think some people just moan for the sake of it at times.
Posted by: Chloe, Belfast on 2:23pm Mon 23 Jun 08
Me and my friends qued the night before from 10pm and I have to say compared to the HMV signings and queing for concert tickets this was so well organised. Usually I drea queing up as it takes alot out of you and I find that you staff treat u like crap and your always lefts in the dark and the whole experience is horrible. But really enjoyed it, everything went smoothly, we were given wristbands the next morning, which meant we could go home and do what we liked and then come back again at 4 only to que for another hour and half to see the boys, which is nothing and I was well pleased. Dont get be wrong there secruity have no manners, but Westlife r gentlemen as always.
Me and my friends qued the night before from 10pm and I have to say compared to the HMV signings and queing for concert tickets this was so well organised. Usually I drea queing up as it takes alot out of you and I find that you staff treat u like crap and your always lefts in the dark and the whole experience is horrible. But really enjoyed it, everything went smoothly, we were given wristbands the next morning, which meant we could go home and do what we liked and then come back again at 4 only to que for another hour and half to see the boys, which is nothing and I was well pleased. Dont get be wrong there secruity have no manners, but Westlife r gentlemen as always.
Posted by: The Vicar, Listening to George Formby on 4:10pm Mon 23 Jun 08
"My feelings towards Westlife have definitely changed after this."
Mine haven't. I've always thought that the pleasure of listening to their music is about on par with unblocking a toilet at an old people's home.
Even more shocking? A 33-year old Lowlife fan? Isn't she about 30 years too old to be a Lowlife fan? :)
"My feelings towards Westlife have definitely changed after this."
Mine haven't. I've always thought that the pleasure of listening to their music is about on par with unblocking a toilet at an old people's home.
Even more shocking? A 33-year old Lowlife fan? Isn't she about 30 years too old to be a Lowlife fan? :)
Posted by: karen on 3:12pm Fri 27 Jun 08
AGREE with EVERYTHING in this article. i went to the picadilly signing and had exactly the same treatment!!!!! i was one left in floods after being treated very aggressivly by a security guard!!! it was a sham!!!! now the lads are not to blame but i am reconsidering going to a signing ever again!!
AGREE with EVERYTHING in this article. i went to the picadilly signing and had exactly the same treatment!!!!! i was one left in floods after being treated very aggressivly by a security guard!!! it was a sham!!!! now the lads are not to blame but i am reconsidering going to a signing ever again!!
Posted by: Emma, dublin on 2:58pm Tue 8 Jul 08
Hey. i went to the westlife signing in dublin n i queued from half ten dat night and i got in to easons. security were lovely they even had a laugh with some of the fans before the band arrived. the lads were lovely and polite. so any fans that say westlife were horrible to them or whatever...yourWRONG
!! to who didnt get in you will get another chance to meet them, im sure they will be doing an album signing when they come back in a years time!! so jus STOP MOANING!!!
Hey. i went to the westlife signing in dublin n i queued from half ten dat night and i got in to easons. security were lovely they even had a laugh with some of the fans before the band arrived. the lads were lovely and polite. so any fans that say westlife were horrible to them or whatever...yourWRONG
!! to who didnt get in you will get another chance to meet them, im sure they will be doing an album signing when they come back in a years time!! so jus STOP MOANING!!!
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