Westlife part ways with Simon Cowell

Westlife have left Simon Cowell's record label Syco.

The Irish boyband parted company with the music mogul - who they have worked with for over 13 years - and signed a new deal with rival record label Sony RCA amid rumours they were unhappy with how their latest album 'Gravity' was marketed.

Singer Nicky Byrne confirmed the split in a tweet reading: "Truth is, yes, we have moved on from Syco records after a fantastic 13 years. But it is time for a change and it's very exciting."

His bandmate, Mark Feehily, added: "'Gravity' is the last album for us to make with Simon Cowell and his label. We love and respect him and thank him for his part in Westlife."

Although it has been reported the band - which also includes Shane Filan and Kian Egan - were upset when Simon refused to release a track they favoured from 'Gravity' as a single, Westlife manager Louis Walsh denied the band were unhappy with Simon's direction.

He said: "The move is a natural progression. There is no bad feeling."

Simon originally signed the band to Sony BMG in 1998 and they moved with him to his own label Syco label - also part of the Sony group - in 2002.