His twinkling Irish eyes and powerful voice made him a world-wide heartthrob and a multi-millionaire but two years ago former Westlife singer Shane Filan lost his smile and his fortune in the Irish property crash, declaring bankruptcy in 2012.

But he is now back with a solo album and tour and his tell-all autobiography, My Side of Life, revealing details of drinking binges with his Westlife bandmates, being slapped by Louis Walsh, tricking Simon Cowell and being £18 million in debt.

We sat down with him ahead of his concert in St Albans to find out how he is coping with his new life.

Is it harder being solo than being in Westlife?

I think it's easier. People ask me all the time to compare. It's a lot more free schedule wise and you arrange everything to suit you. Of course, it's different to Westlife and all the hysterics around the band, but it's amazing. We have got great crowds and it's getting great reviews. It's a new part of my life.

When will your next single be out?

Early 2015. I've started my second album already. I'm looking to have it ready for Easter time next year. We are 15 per cent done and I'm going to be writing on tour. I'm looking for that killer ballad that people know all over the world.

Have you found your stride with the songwriting?

I have found my stride. I'm still learning, it's only my first album. I think I did a good job but can do better and the more you work with other people the more you learn.

How much of your music is inspired by the troubles you had with losing all your money?

The first album was totally inspired by all of that. My life was totally flipped upsidedown in a few years and you realise what you have and don't have and I have my family, my wife, kids, a great marriage. I wrote about that and my relationships and things that made me feel happy.

How are things now?

It's better than it was obviously. You kind of have to start again and work your way back. I'm very lucky to be able to tour. All I want to do is have a career and look after my children. I don't need fancy things, I just want to look after my family.

Did you feel like you had to sell your soul by writing your autobiography to make money?

Not at all. I wanted the book to be real, the real story. The reason I went into so much detail was to get it off my chest because it's been hanging on like a bad dream and the book was a great way to do that. Of course you get paid for the book and doing a concert, it's part of your job. I'm not doing it now because I have to, it's because I wanted to get on. I could have done it in a couple of years and it might have been better but the relief I felt in the last week was massive because all the stories about when and why it happened were out there.

Did you check with Louis Walsh before you put stuff in the book about him slapping you and screaming at you?

No not at all. The stories are real. It's not a book to try and annoy anyone. There's no reason for me to do anything like that. I have been very lucky to be in Westlife and we had an amazing time together.

Do you still enjoy being a celebrity?

I don't really look at myself like that. I look at myself as someone on stage. I'm comfortable being on stage. I still find it funny when people come up for an autograph. I don't think you ever get used to people wanting your picture in the airport. Even with Westlife, we never wanted to be celebrities, we wanted to be in a band and we did it to the highest level.

Will there be a Westlife reunion?

I don't know. I get asked that question every day. There's no plans for a reunion. Whether it will happen in 10 years time, it's something you can never predict. We don't keep in touch. We never see or talk to each other. I saw Nicky last week but it was only by chance. I have seen them each maybe twice in the last two and a half years. We have drifted apart, but it's not in a bad way, we have just gone different paths.

Any regrets?

No. What I have is a load of amazing and happy memories from my life. Obviously there's a few harder years there but I'm a lot stronger person going forward.

Would you do a reality show?

I have been offered all of them but not at the moment. I want to sing. If there was a golf reality show I would do it because I love golf!

Do you want to earn your fortune back?

It isn't the aim for me at all. For me I just want to be a successful singer.

Alban Arena, St Peter's Street, Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD, November 15. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk