WESTLIFE star NICKY BRYNE has offered his former bandmate BRIAN McFADDEN some chart advice - take a year out from his music career.

Only six months after leaving Westlife, McFadden split up with his wife Kerry Katona in September 2004 and the following December (04) began dating Australian pop star Delta Goodrem.

Since McFadden and Goodrem's relationship began, they have received a torrent of abuse from reality TV star Katona's fans, and have been accused of beginning their relationship while McFadden was still married.

After hitting the number one with his debut solo single REAL TO ME last year (04), his subsequent single releases and album IRISH SON have failed to light up the charts.

Bryne says, "I spoke to Brian six weeks ago. He's had the raw end of the stick.

"I told him to take a year off and bury his head in the sand. It was, Brian and Kerry overkill, which affected his career.

"It's disappointing how things have gone, but he'll fly when he comes back."