Westlife fans leave book signing in tears (From Echo)

Westlife fans leave book signing in tears

6:45am Thursday 19th June 2008 in

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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."