Boyzone stars Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch have opened up about the emotional reality of performing without late bandmate Stephen Gately ahead of their upcoming reunion concerts.
The Irish group, who shot to fame in 1993, admitted Mr Gately’s absence is still deeply felt more than 16 years after his death.
Speaking during an appearance on This Morning, the band confirmed they will once again pay tribute to Mr Gately during their One For The Road concerts at Emirates Stadium on June 5 and 6.
The performances could mark the final time the remaining members perform together.
Boyzone was formed in 1993
| GETTYMikey Graham, who stepped back from live performances in 2019, is also set to return for the special shows.
Mr Lynch spoke candidly about how the group still feels Mr Gately’s presence whenever they reunite.
“It’s a special time for us to do that because I think outside this bubble called Boyzone, to remember Stephen and his ways, and the love of Stephen, it’s a particular memory of an individual but when we get together, he’s very much alive,” Mr Lynch explained.
Mr Keating echoed the emotional sentiment, admitting it often feels as though his late bandmate is still nearby backstage.
Stephen Gately died unexpectedly in 2008
|GETTY
“It’s funny, when we’re together, it feels like he’s just getting ready in the dressing room or something next door,” he said.
“He’s here, he’s alive and he will be alive with us on stage next week at the Emirates.”
Mr Duffy also reflected on the challenge of ensuring the group properly honours Mr Gately during every performance.
He told Magic FM: “[Stephen] was a huge part of Boyzone. We show him a great deal of respect, we always have done since his passing."
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Boyzone was created by Irish music manager Louis Walsh | GETTY
The singer revealed the group carefully plans dedicated tribute moments for Mr Gately at every show they perform.
“Getting that right is going to be very important to us, but we wouldn't be able to do a show without bringing him in,” Mr Duffy explained.
He added that whenever the remaining members reunite together, they genuinely feel as though Mr Gately is still part of the band.
The One For The Road concerts follow the success of Sky documentary Boyzone: No Matter What, which gave fans a candid insight into the group’s rise to fame and behind-the-scenes tensions.
Mr Gately died in October 2009 aged just 33 after suffering pulmonary oedema while holidaying in Majorca.
The band later reunited following his death and released farewell album Thank You & Goodnight in 2018.
Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Ronan Keating attend the Boyzone: No Matter What World Premiere
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Mr Duffy also addressed disappointment from Irish fans over the lack of a farewell show in the group’s homeland.
“We’d love to finish in Ireland. Of course we would. But it just wasn’t offered to us,” he said.