The cd:uk interview with Stephen Gately

Stephen's new single might be called I Believe but just what does the little Irish crooner believe in? worldpop got him to clear the air on the biggest rumours doing the rounds ?

The rumour is: You're a bit fed up of the gay pop star label

Stephen Gately: It's true, I am fed up of it. I've talked about being gay in every interview, but people should really just be interested in my music!

The rumour is: You sold your house and left Ireland because you're fed up of Irish people who become bitter when locals have success

Stephen Gately: I never said that! I'm still in Ireland, I just spend a lot of time in Amsterdam because Eloy lives there. And Irish people aren't bitter - they're among the friendliest people in the world.

The rumour is: You and Eloy plan to adopt a child soon

Stephen Gately: We've got two dogs and hardly have time to take care of them. If we did adopt a child it'd be years down the line. You need a lot of dedication and time to bring up a child. But who knows? Maybe in a few years ...

The rumour is: Shane and Keith have recorded a cover of a Milli Vanilli song for a laugh

Stephen Gately: That one's true. I look forward to hearing it because it's supposed to be really funny.

The rumour is: You were worried you wouldn't beat Mikey Graham in the chart race when your debut solo singles were released in the same week

Stephen Gately: I wasn't worried at all. I'm not in competition with him or any other member of Boyzone. And it was his choice to release his single on the same day, not mine!

The rumour is: Your younger brother is going to play you in the Boyzone movie

Stephen Gately: Maybe, if the movie goes ahead. We're waiting for the right script - one that captures our image plus all the laughs and jokes that we have together.

The rumour is: You're addicted to the Dutch version of Big Brother

Stephen Gately: Well, I wouldn't say I was addicted, but I have seen it a couple of times and really enjoyed it. It's in Dutch, though, and I don't speak Dutch!

The rumour is: The illness that forced you to cancel several live performances was stress-related

Stephen Gately: It wasn't stress - I had kidney stones. I didn't cancel that many appearances but I was in a lot of pain. The choice was either to go on stage in terrible pain or chill out at home, and I chose to stay at home like anyone else would.

The rumour is: Boyzone will never get back together for another album or world tour

Stephen Gately: You can never say never. We're gonna get back together for a tour next year and we'll see how it goes from there.