Former Westlife member Brian McFadden tells KATHERINE MACALISTER how much things have changed – and for the better – since they last talked

Brian McFadden was late, an hour late that drifted into two then three.

What he was up to is anyone’s guess – after all he’s a newly-wed who’s on tour at the moment, so early mornings probably aren’t his thing.

“I’m so sorry, it’s my first day back in London and my Irish phone didn’t work so I had to rush out and buy a sim card,” he apologises. “I’m talking to you on a £20 top up so it’s not glamorous,” he laughs. “But I am back in London, finally in London,” he adds as if he can’t believe it himself.

It’s taken seven years, a new wife, a new tour and a new album to bring him back, but here he is, raring to go, a far cry from the desperate man I interviewed in 2005 when he fled to America to get away from the constant scrutiny of his custody battle with former wife Kerry Katona, his new romance with Aussie singer Delta Goodrem and the paparazzi scrum which developed whenever he broke cover.

He disappeared off to Australia soon after where he spent the next seven years licking his wounds, writing albums, and appearing on the Australia’s Got Talent panel. And then his old Irish mucker Ronan got in touch to ask him to be the support act on his global tour and Brian was back on stage with his guitar, singing away, doing what he does best and loving every second.

It was enough to remind him what he was missing, put album The Irish Connection together and get out on the road, gigging around the country – and Oxford’s O2 is next.

So what took him so long? “I know, I know, but this year has been so unexpected. I thought I’d be in Australia and then I got the call from Ronan and before I knew it I was on tour again. It happened really quickly, and then we decided to do our own dates and a short tour, a quick up-and-down the country, and I’m really enjoying it. I was ready to come back and I’m in a good place.”

Brian has lost none of his boyish charm, despite the thick beard he now sports, a reminder that he’s now a manly 33. But having taken six weeks off between Ronan’s tour and his own, he’s now champing at the bit.

“I haven’t had this long off since I left Westlife so I’ve been at home in Ireland for the past six weeks and my kids came over and they’ve just gone back to school so it’s been grand. But I’ve eaten too much of my mum’s cooking, and I’ve had to grow extra facial hair just to cover my chin,” he laughs. “So today everything starts, not just the move, but the regime and the gym as well, not that I dance around much but I’ve got to be able to move, sing and breath.”

A massive deal then? “It’s like going back to school because I’ve got my first show on Sunday, 16 songs to learn and rehearsals. I’ve got to remember all the lyrics, but I’m really excited about it.”

Judging by his relaxed demeanour everything is different though this time around. So what’s changed? “In Westlife we worked so hard for so long that by the end it was more of a job and a chore even though we were playing to these massive crowds. It got really lonely,” he admits. “People don’t realise how hard it is. I see these young artists like The Wanted and One Direction who get up at 6am to do photoshoots and interviews and don’t stop until midnight. You become completely dislocated from your family and friends and forget why you’re doing it. I think music should feel like a hobby even if it’s your job”

Regrouping in Australia seems to have done the trick though. “People keep asking me what I’ve been doing, and I have been working my ass off for the past seven years.

“Australia’s Got Talent takes up so much time, and it was really interesting being a judge and watching all these young kids getting up on stage and singing and then I realised I was quite jealous. I’d neglected my singing. I needed to focus on my own music.”

So it’s good to be back? “I love that it’s just me and it’s really good to be back. I’m really enjoying it and having fun with it.”

And while next Sunday’s gig is a collection of his favourite irish songs, from Snow Patrol, The Cranberries and Damien Rice to Enya and Van Morrison, Brian is also finishing off an album of his own work. “I’ve been writing a new album for 18 months now but it’s not quite ready yet.”

As for the concert, what can people expect? “I went through a period of only singing my new stuff but people like a bit of everything. And whether it’s a big or small show it’s all a buzz to me because wherever I am, I love getting up and having a sing. We were on a stag do recently in Ireland and 21 of us crashed this 30th and I got up on stage and sang for half an hour. I can’t get enough and enjoy it as much as any big stadium.”

Touring with the Mrs (DJ Vogue) must help? “My wife is a DJ so she’s going on for an hour before me to warm up the crowd,” he says. A bit like the Osmonds then? “Well my girls are nearly 16 so I can train them up as the singing support act. All I need to do then is train the dog to be Pudsey and we’ll have the whole travelling circus,” he laughs, delighted at the thought as he disappears off to start his new life all over again.

Brian McFadden appears at Oxford’s O2 Academy on Sunday, May 26, with DJ Vogue as his support act. For tickets see ticketweb.co.uk