EXCLUSIVE: Boyzone star Ronan Keating opens up on the ongoing impact of Stephen Gateley’s death, how he feels about his milestone birthday and the song that means more than ever
Boyzone star Ronan Keating has has admitted that the grief of losing bandmate Stephen Gately, 17 years on from his tragic death, still hits him on a daily basis.
When Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch played two emotional reunion concerts at London’s Emirates Stadium this month, their One for the Road gigs were missing one important component – beloved band member, Gately.
The singer died unexpectedly in October 2009 of an undiagnosed heart condition at just 33, passing away in his sleep at his Majorcan holiday home.
And Keating, who refers to the late singer as his ‘brother’ tells the Mirror, “I still miss him every single day – and especially when I’m on stage with the other boys. He was taken far too soon. He had so much more to give.”
The only gay man in a band with four straight men, the two were famously tight – and Keating called his pal’s public coming out in 1999 “the bravest thing [he’s] ever seen anyone do.”
For 49-year-old Keating, who has also suffered the tragic loss of his older brother, Ciarán in a car crash in County Mayo 2023, one song that resonates more than ever is the group’s hit 1995 cover of Cat Stevens’ Father & Son.
“I sang that song at the Boyzone auditions, way back when. It’s the song that sticks with me, and has meant so much over the years… Especially as I became a father, and now a grandfather.”
The original boyband pin-up is not only a father of five, sharing three children with ex-wife, model Yvonne, and two with current wife, Storm – but became a grandad when his eldest son, Love Island alumni Jack, 27, welcomed a daughter Maya, in 2023.
Admitting his joy at the time, Keating did reveal on The One Show that he’d shunned the title ‘grandad’ for the title ‘Pops.
But while he may be a young grandad, he’s not at all worried about the prospect of turning 50 next year – and admits, a part of him still feels like that fresh-faced 16-year-old that turned up to audition for the next big boy band.
“I’m quite relaxed about it, really. It’s just a number” he says. “There are days where I still feel that teenage kid who first started out at those Boyzone auditions. I’m certainly looking forward to celebrating, when next March comes around!”
Taking part in Boyzone’s recent reunion shows at the Emirates – which included many moving nods to Gateley, were ‘everything’ they lads hoped they would be, he says.
“It was just a pure celebration – for us and everyone who’s been on this journey with us. I think it’s those shared experiences we’ve had over all these years that keep our bond alive.”
Keating isn’t resting on his laurels, either. Currently in the studio, he is writing and recording for a new solo album.. But next up is a Saturday night headline spot in August at Deva Fest in Cheshire, playing solo hits and, yes, a smattering of Boyzone favourites.
“It’s always a pleasure to perform outdoors in the UK”, he says. “Let’s hope for some good weather. It’s great to see new, younger faces when you look out at the crowd, too. We’re going to have a blast!”
Phil Marston, founder of the award-winning family-friendly festival, which will also see headline performances from Jessie J and James Morrison, says, “This is without doubt our strongest line-up to date.
“We’ve worked hard to create an experience where families and friends can enjoy world-class music alongside unique entertainment.”
Deva Fest takes place 6–9 August 2026 at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Cheshire. Tickets and info at www.devafest.co.uk.
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