Star treatment for Westlife superfan from Rotherham who travelled to Sheffield anniversary concert in style
“Ever since they started up, every time they’ve come to Sheffield Arena she’s gone to see them.”
A Westlife fanatic from Rotherham was treated to a special evening when the band returned to Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on Monday.
Janice Long, 43, has been a Westlife fan for as long as her mum, Susan, can remember, and has seen them at the arena numerous times through the years.
Susan said: “Ever since they started up, every time they’ve come to Sheffield Arena she’s gone to see them.”
“She loves her Irish boys. Her favourite song is ‘Queen of my Heart’ and she cries every time they sing it.”
Janice, who has cerebral palsy, first went to see the group 25 years ago, making this week's concert a special anniversary for her.
When asked how many times Janice has seen Westlife over the last quarter of a century, Susan said: “I’ve lost count!”
Susan always treats Janice, of Kimberworth Park, to a special ride in a limousine before she goes to see Westlife, but last night the carriage of choice was a luxury Mercedes-Benz.
“She always goes in style,” Susan said.
Westlife formed in Sligo, Ireland in 1998 and have gone on to have 16 number one singles and sell more than 55 million records.
Originally formed as a five-man group, Brian McFadden departed the group in 2004 to pursue a solo career.
Appearing in Sheffield on Monday as part of their 25th Anniversary Tour, the group performed as a trio as member Mark Feehily stepped away with illness.
Janice, who cannot use her legs due to her cerebral palsy, loves Westlife above most other things in her life, and connects to many of the band’s songs.
Susan explains that a luxury ride to the arena is the perfect dose of extravagance for Janice, saying: “I don’t think she’d cope further afield.
“I don’t think she could handle the meet and greets, I think she’d faint if she got to meet the boys!”
Speaking about her daughter’s disability, Susan said: “She’s one of these people that doesn’t let it get her down, she just thinks ‘I'm just going to get on with it’.”
Janice loves going to the Utilita Arena, and Susan is full of praise for how the staff treat her daughter.
She said: “They do take care of you at the arena. As soon as the tickets go on sale they let me know so they don’t sell out.”
She added: “If it came to holiday time and Westlife were at the arena, she’d cancel the holiday to go and see them!”