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13-09-00 news EXCLUSIVE: PAUL MARTIN
Westlife to take on Spice Girls in Album charts...

WESTLIFE have declared pop war on the Spice Girls by revealing that they are to release their new album on the same day as the girl group. The Sligo Pop sensations are determined to de-throne the world's biggest pop act by beating the Spices to the number one album spot when they both release new albums on November 6.

The Spice Girls are furious Westlife's decision to stage a dramatic chart showdown which the Sligo sensations will almost certainly win. Last night a source close to the Spices said: "They always sing about Girl Power, but it looks like they'll have to eat their words this time. "This is a big blow to their album plans. The last thing the Spice Girls wanted was to come back after two years away with a number two album. "They were convinced that they'd have the number one. Now their worst nightmare is happening - they have to face the biggest boy band on the planet. "They know that it's going to be very difficult to beat Westlife even with their huge fan base." Westlife are so determined to topple the famous all-girl group that they have promised to move their album release date if the Spice Girls change theirs. "Whatever happens the Spice Girls are not going to be able to avoid this chart showdown," said a source close to the Irish group. "If the Spice Girls try and change their release date to avoid a show down, then Westlife will change their date again so they are releasing on the same day. "The lads really want to go head to head and show that they are now the biggest pop band on the planet. "I don't think there's any doubt that they will have the number one album and the Spice Girls are going to have to settle for second spot."

Failing to top the album charts will be a bitter blow for whoever looses out in the battle. Westlife's new album will be called Coast to Coast while the Spice Girls still haven't chosen a title for theirs.

Last night singer Kian Egan confirmed that the battle was on: "We're really going for it with the new album. "Pop bands don't come much bigger than the Spice Girls so we are going to take them on for the number one spot. "I like and admire what the Spice Girls have done in the past but we think it's our turn to show why we're number one. "We're really hyped up about this and we want all our fans to come out and help make us top of the album charts." They will release the first single from the album, My Love, on October 30. Their duet with Mariah Carey is also released on September 18.

The two groups will commence a huge promotion drive at the end of September to maximise publicity before the albums are released. Westlife will tour record stores and appear on a stream of high profile radio and television shows. The Spice Girls are planning to with back with an expensive television advertising campaign and a number of live appearances on top TV shows.

Both the Spice Girls previous albums went straight to number one when they were released while Westlife's first record charted at number two. But music experts are convinced that the Irish boys will win the biggest chart battle for years. "You have to look at the current appeal of both the groups and at the minute Westlife are miles ahead of everyone," said a music industry insider.

"Every teenage girl on the planet loves Westlife - but the Spice Girls haven't even had a single release for two years. "This could well be the beginning of the end for the Spice Girls. They must be furious that they are to be outshone by Westlife, it's the worst thing that could have happened to them."