THE BIG BUILD UP to the SUNDAY CHART

Westlife's new album 'Coast To Coast' is almost outselling the Spice Girls long-player 'Forever' by more than two-to-one according to this weeks early sales reports.

The boy band's second offering had sold nearly 60,000 copies by mid-afternoon today (Tuesday November 7th), while the girl band had managed to shift an estimated 20,800 copies.

Those Irish heartthrobs could well take the number one spot in the album charts this weekend if they continue to sell their long-player with such great gusto.

It's likely that the Spice Girls will go in at number two but U2's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' is still a popular choice with record shoppers, selling around 17,500 copies this week already.

As the hype builds for this week's album showdown, Westlife seem confident of victory over the Spice Girls.

After goading the Spice quartet on Saturday morning TV, Westlife's Bryan McFadden is reported to have openly panned the girls' latest release at an in-store appearance yesterday.

"Our album is better than theirs," he said. "Their first two albums, people loved them but now they're just trying to be Destiny's Child, or TLC or something. They just don't have it any more."

Bryan allegedly made the comments during the Manchester leg of their whirlwind UK signing tour. The trek across the country started yesterday in Glasgow, before heading to Manchester, then on to Birmingham and finishing in London where they are hosting an album launch party.

Both groups are battling for the much sought after No.1 spot starting today. The Irish boyband release their second album 'Coast To Coast' while the Spice Girls release their third album, 'Forever'.

Westlife are currently topping the singles chart after recording their seventh consecutive No.1 with 'My Love' on Sunday.

WESTLIFE are on a gruelling two-day marathon in a bid to beat the Spice Girls to the No1 album spot.

The lads will have just two hours sleep as they tour the country to promote their new CD, Coast To Coast.

It's the hottest album battle for years - and has already cost each camp £1million.

So far Westlife are winning the war, notching up the first victory by knocking the Spice Girls off the top single spot this week to win their record-breaking SEVENTH consecutive No1 with My Love.

The track sold 6,000 more copies than the Spice Girls single Holler/Let Love Lead The Way last week.

Westlife are the only band whose first seven hits have all gone to No1 and they now equal The Beatles' 1966 record for consecutive chart-topping songs.

A thrilled Kian Egan told me: "To get to No1 is always important but to be ranked alongside The Beatles is incredible."

Westlife now aim to make it a double victory with a lightning tour of Britain to put Coast To Coast ahead of the Spice Girls' album, Forever.

Half the time they'll spend being groomed for a non-stop round of public appearances.

At the end of their tour they are planning an album launch party at the trendy St Martin's Lane hotel in Covent Garden, London - going head to head with one the Spice Girls are holding at new Red Cube restaurant in nearby Leicester Square.

Nicky Byrne admitted: "I have only stayed up this many hours before to watch the boxing but there is a real buzz about this.

"It is a new album and we think it will go the distance."

Here is their itinerary starting at 10.30 yesterday morning:

10.30am - 1pm: Grooming, lunch.

1pm - 3.25pm: Go to studio and rehearse video.

3.25pm - 7.30pm: Re-touch hair and make-up. Go to Glasgow's Virgin Megastore to sign autographs, give interviews, hold a press conference and do a photocall.

7.30pm - 8pm: Go to telly studio and grab some dinner

8pm - 9.30pm: Grooming and change of clothes.

9.30pm - 11.30pm: Video filming.

11.30pm - 11.55pm: Go to hotel.

11.55pm - 2am: REST.

2am - 3am: Hold a photocall at airport. Take off, have hair and make-up re-done on plane.

4am - 5am: Arrive in Manchester, transfer to hotel, breakfast in suite, freshen up.

5.30am - 06.15am: Buffet in hotel with competition winners.

6.15am - 9.15am: Visit Virgin Megastore for interviews, photocall, press conference and album signings.

9.15am - 10.30am: Arrive airport, plane takes off for Birmingham.

10.30am - 12.30pm: Retouch hair and make-up on plane. Go straight to Virgin Megastore.

12.30pm - 2.30pm: Arrive at Virgin Megastore for interviews, photocall, press conference and in-store album signings.

2.30pm - 4.15pm: Leave for airport and flight to London. Re-touch hair and make-up on the plane.

4.15pm - 5.45pm: Arrive at London airport, transfer to Virgin Megastore in Piccadilly with a police escort.

5.45pm - 8.55pm: Arrive at the store for interviews, photocall, press conference and album signings.

8.55pm - very late: Go to St Martins Hotel for Westlife album launch party.

 

In contrast to Westlife's demanding schedule, the Spice Girls are keeping their album launch low-key.

They will make only one public appearance this week to promote Forever - doing a presenting stint on Channel 4's TFI Friday show.

A Spice Girls insider said: "We're certain of our popularity and Westlife's round-the-clock tour reeks of desperation."

Meanwhile Woolworths - which clocks up 60 per cent of all record sales - has put Westlife ahead of the Spice Girls on its prediction of sales.