The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

With Grainne McLoughlin

Big news this week? It has to be the speculation that Irish boyband Westlife are set to record a duet with Michael Jackson.

All I can think is how times have changed.

The pop group — who picked up the award for Best Irish Pop Act for the sixth time at the Meteors Irish Music Awards — have suggested that it would be a cool thing to do. Err, ‘cool’ I’d say is a bit of an understatement for the boys.

I mean no matter what’s been said about the eccentric singer, he still remains a musical genius.

But Westlife — who are also rumoured to be discussing the possibility of performing duets with Lionel Richie and Julio Iglesias — seem keen to play it down.

Band member Shane Filan said: “The idea to do a single with Michael Jackson came from Louis Walsh who met up with an agent about three months ago in Germany.

“It would be this cool thing to do, we are all big fans of Michael Jackson.”