Westlife returned to the top of the charts in 2019 with their album ‘Spectrum’ – the group’s first release in almost a decade.

After the pandemic threw a spanner in the group’s promo plans, however, the four-piece has been forced to change their strategy and have announced their departure from record label EMI.

In a post across the Flying Without Wings group’s social media platforms, Westlife penned: “Hi everyone, we hope you are safe and well. We have some big news we’d like to share with you.

“Due to a change of leadership and a breakdown of contractual negotiations, we have parted company with EMI Records by mutual consent.

“We enjoyed our time with the label and are very proud of the huge success we achieved together, including our number one album Spectrum and we’re humbled to be the label’s biggest selling UK signed artist of that year.”

The Against All Odds singers added: “This change allows us to embark on a very exciting new chapter.

“The next 18-months is shaping up to be our biggest yet, including a groundbreaking global partnership which we will be announcing imminently.

“We can also reveal we have started work on our brand new album due for release later this year.

“Lastly, the most exciting part of all, is that we get to see all of you again and it’s been a long time coming, as we embark on our biggest ever world tour,” said the band.

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“This will take us across 5 continents including a sold out Wembley Stadium and for the first time ever, we will be bringing our live shows to America.”

Spectrum, which features five songs written by Ed Sheeran, sold 500,000 copies worldwide and was one of the Top 40 best-selling albums in the UK of 2019.

Despite the setback, Westlife are believed to be considering opportunities for an end-of-year TV show and a documentary special.

In April, 2020, the band announced they were cancelling their Stadiums in the Summer Tour due to the pandemic.  

The statement read: “To all our UK fans – it is with great sadness that despite best efforts, our shows scheduled for the UK in June and July must be cancelled.

“We have been monitoring the UK government advice surrounding mass gatherings and it is very clear that this is the course we need to take to ensure the protection of our fans, our crew and everyone around us but also to ease pressure on those working tirelessly to fight this virus.

“Those who have been on the Westlife journey with us know how important performing is to us but also know that safety must come first and foremost in delivering a successful tour. 

“In the meantime, we ask everyone to stay home, stay safe and keep playing your part in fighting the spread of this virus.”

The jaunt is currently scheduled to take place from June-August, 2021. Tickets are available here.