After 14 years - and 14 No 1s - the 'boys' from Westlife call it a day

Amid a flurry of band reunions, chart-topping boy band Westlife have bucked the trend by announcing that they are to split "amicably" after 14 years and 26 Top 10 hits.

The Irish group will bow out following a farewell tour next year and said they are looking forward to "new ventures".

Over the course of their career, the group has achieved 14 No 1 hits.

In a statement, the group said last night: "Over the years, Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family."