EXCLUSIVE Nicky and Georgina.. their FIRST wedding anniversary.
Source: Sunday Mirror in England, on Aug 8, 2004
Nicky Byrne and wife Georgina are one of Ireland's most successful and stylish celebrity couples.
But that wasn't always the case for the Westlife star and the Taoiseach's eldest daughter.
As they look forward to celebrating their first wedding anniversary tomorrow, we take a look at how the pair have grown from schoolyard sweethearts to powerful showbiz stars.
From their first kiss as 15-year-olds in 1993 to their wedding in France, it's a real-life fairytale.
1990.. SECRET CRUSHES
Two 12-year-olds start at Pobail Scoil Neasain school in Baldoyle. Nicky's dad is a pub singer, Georgina's is a politician.
The couple share secret feelings for each other, but are too shy to act despite being in the same class. But Nicky goes home and tells mum Yvonne that he has met the girl he is going to marry.
1993.. THE FIRST KISS
After several failed attempts to get together, Nicky finally invite Georgina to a party and the rest is history.
Georgina said: "I was really nervous before I met him, but I had a good night.
"We had our first kiss. It was a class act, a perfect kiss."
Nicky gives Georgina a simple white gold ring which she wears on her wedding finger.
1996.. DIVIDED & UNHAPPY
Nicky, a promising goalkeeper, is whisked away to Britain to train for Leeds United.
But he misses his love so much, he cries himself to sleep every night.
He said: "The time I spent away from her with Leeds United was terrible. I was trying to get home all the time."
Eventually he comes home, after being axed from the youth team for being "too short".
1997.. DAD'S NEW JOB
Another relationship test comes when Georgina's dad, Bertie, becomes Taoiseach.
Suddenly the shy teenager is thrust into the spotlight.
But she and sister Cecelia cope with the pressure.
1998.. BAND OF GOLD
Nicky joins Louis Walsh's new band Westlife. Within 12 months he's No1 in the UK and every schoolgirl's fantasy.
But despite a girlfriend ban by Walsh, Nicky stays true to Georgina and their relationship goes from strength to strength... even if it was well known to Westlife's fans.
2000.. PLAYING THE FAME GAME
Georgina has blossomed into an attractive young woman. She's starting to shed the puppy fat and homely-girl image.
Being the girlfriend of one of pop's biggest heartthrobs, she starts to experiment with new looks, trading her brunette barnet for a blonde one.
The couple become regulars on Ireland's social scene.
2002.. MARRY ME
Westlife are now one of the world's most successful boybands.
Nicky and Georgina's relationship has survived the pressures of fame and months spent apart.
On Christmas Day Nicky drops down on one knee and asks Georgina to marry him. She accepts and the couple plan their nuptials.
2003.. FAIRYTALE WEDDING
They decide to tie the knot at a Chateau in France.
But they sign a €1m deal with Hello! magazine, turning the nation against them.
Fans are furious at the huge security operation put in place by the glossy magazine to stop the public - and the fans - from catching a glimpse.
Even locals in the small town where the couple are wed are up in arms over they way they are treated.
Instead of the fairytale wedding the pair had planned, the ceremony is sadly overshadowed by booing and jeering from the gathered crowd.
2004.. CATWALK DREAM
Georgina has earned herself a business degree but has not landed herself a formal job since her wedding. She fulfils a life-long ambition by taking to the catwalk for her designer pal Synan O'Mahony.
Georgina walked down the aisle in one of his creations, and so felt confident enough to make her modelling debut at his Design Centre show in February.
But Nicky isn't there to witness her debut - he was away working with the band.
She takes to the catwalk again in April for the VIP Fashion show.
NOW.. COULDN'T BE HAPPIER
The couple are still madly in love, enjoying time alone together.
And who knows? When the band winds down and with millions in the bank, maybe we'll soon be hearing the patter of tiny feet at the couple's mansion in Malahide.