Shane Filan, from the Irish boy band Westlife has explained how his faith in God helped him when he was declared bankrupt in 2012.

The singer, who was brought up a Catholic, said he couldn't have got through the difficult time if it hadn't been for his wife and God.

He ran into financial trouble when his company Shafin Developments - a property development firm he ran with his eldest brother Finbar - went into receivership.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz, he explained how his belief in God got him through. He said: ''In general I say a prayer, I have a lot of faith, I don't go to mass every day, but I do go to mass as often as I can. I do like to take a moment and just pray and hope everything is going to be OK.

''During that time I would talk to the room, talk to God, and say, 'Listen, you need to help me out here, what do I do next?' ''

He's been speaking as he launches his solo album 'Right Here' which was released this week. He said his difficulties have made him determined to succeed as a solo artist.

They're here! Get your copy of #RightHere before we release it TOMORROW! :) http://t.co/jzRFsFi9sG pic.twitter.com/I1bENiN0XP

— Shane Filan (@ShaneFilan) September 24, 2015

He added: ''Good things came out of those money troubles, it made me much more focused and more determined to succeed. You know this album and my solo career has to work, this isn't just about releasing an album, I want to be doing this, being an artist, for the next 20 years.''