Welcome to the dotmusic chat with Stephen Gately.

Dotmusic- Stephen's here so we're going to kick off a few minutes early. . .

Judith from Holland asks: What's your favourite number off your CD?

Stephen- I'm proud of the whole CD, but If Only You Were Here or I Believe.

Freya McCracken from Manchester asks: Do you get fed up with being asked about Boyzone now that you're concentrating on a solo career?

Stephen- No. Boyzone are still together so it's no problem.

Charlotte Howse from Essex, UK asks: Have you heard Keith and Shane's version of Milli Vanilli's song? And, if so, what do you make of it? Will it be #1?

Stephen- Haven't heard it yet, but it's supposed to be very good and funny.

Emma Boulton from Hertfordshire asks: What's the strangest message you've seen written on a banner for you?

Stephen- I was in Europe and it said 'Stephen Gately is not gay, drop your bags and come my way'.

Rebecca Grimbly from Southend, Essex asks: Hello Stephen! I'm 8 years old. I'd like to ask what was your favourite toy when you were about my age? And what was the best Christmas present you ever got?

Stephen- I didn't have many toys when I was 8. Board games usually- now I like to play on the Dreamcast. I got a dog for my birthday.

Laura from England asks: Why didn't you turn up at MTV Select today? Are you gonna reschedule?

Stephen: Sorry! My flight was delayed for three and a half hours. I'll be there tomorrow- sorry I upset everybody.

Angela from Dumfries, Scotland asks: Will you be doing a solo tour?

Stephen- It depends on how well the album does. If it's successful I'd love to go out and tour- hopefully next year.

Sarah from Chester asks: What's the worst advice you've been given and taken?

Stephen- Don't know the worst- best was 'be nice to everyone on the way up cos you'll meet them on the way down'

Anne from the UK asks: If you could spy on someone for the day, who would it be and why?

Stephen- I'd go to NASA and see where the UFOs are and where they're kept.

Gillian Andrew from Glasgow asks: I recently met you at Glasgow airport and I was wondering what it felt like to have all those screaming fans around you all the time?

Stephen- It's fine. I'm used to it now but sometimes it can be scary. I like attention.

Stephen- Hello everybody who's logged on. Thanks for logging on and I'll be answering qs for the next half hour. Sorry if we miss you. I will read them all.

Natalie Itzkin from Israel asks: How did the lads and Louis react to the fact that you're gay when you told them? Were you scared and nervous?

Stephen- They were fine. They were my mates. I was nervous, but everything's happened for a reason and it's been good. The support is amazing- thanks.

Emily Steward from Surrey, England asks: Apparently the true Ronan is a bit of an extrovert. What's the true Stephen like?

Stephen- A bit of both- in some things anyway.

Hayley Mitchell from Dorset asks: Does your necklace symbolise anything?

Stephen- It's just a jade stone for luck that Eloy got me.

Sally Hurrell from Hertfordshire asks: Will you be going to see Ronan on tour?

Stephen- If the time is there I'd love to. He hasn't invited me yet.

Clair Bradley from Blackpool asks: Hiya Stephen. If you could choose any other band to be in, which would it be?

Stephen- Ooh, The Beatles cos they were so successful.

Judith from Holland asks: What was the first word or sentence you learned to say in Dutch?

Stephen- Thank you! and mostly rude things as usual.

Heliene Rolph from Albuquerque, NM, USA asks: Would you ever write a song about your fans and if you would, would it be about good things or bad things?

Stephen- It would be about good things, but I dedicated my album to the fans. I wrote it for them.

Vix from New Zealand asks: It's 6 in the morning here! Are you a morning person or a night person?

Stephen- Definitely a night person. I can stay up very late and I'm not a good morning person. I like to sleep.

Kelly from Bedfordshire- What music has inspired you as an artist?

Stephen- Pop music generally. No specific art or one type of music.

Stephanie from Germany asks: What do you want your fans to know about you?

Stephen- They know everything anyway, so there's not much left to know- sorry.

Tracy Cave from Dumfries, Scotland asks: Do you think you will ever go into the management side of the music business?

Stephen- I'd like to. I've been asked to put a band together for a record company but that's for the future.

Anne (again) from the UK, Stevenage asks: Stephen, what are your 3 ambitions/goals for the year 2001?

Stephen: To be in a movie, to have a number 1 album and to be happy.

Kelly from Norfolk asks: If you could live your life over again what would you do differently?

Paul from England asks: What's your favourite song at the moment?

Stephen: Pink 'Most Girls'. It's a good album too.

Kat from the UK asks: Will you be disappointed if your single doesn't get to number 1?

Stephen- No. There's lots of other bands out that week so it's gonna be difficult. I need you guys' support more than ever.

Vaiyin from Kuala Lumpur asks: Hey Steve, thanx for your great trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July. I'd like to know what were the main purposes/objectives/aims of making New beginning besides Boyzone's break?

Stephen- I didn't want to leave the business for too long and I wanted to record an album and see how well it does.

Rose McDonagh from Edinburgh asks: What's your best memory from any of Boyzone's tours?

Stephen- Ummm, any time Keith falls or makes a mistake is always funny.

Rosie from the UK asks: Who would be in your dream band?

Stephen- I'd just go for good voices- people who look good and have personality. That's what I'll be looking for when I get a band together.

Charlotte Howse from Essex, UK asks: I met you in London and you're such a nice guy. How do you keep yourself so down to earth?

Stephen- By doing all the normal things in life- walking the dogs, getting my own groceries. I'm the same as anybody else.

Dawn Diton from Brighton asks: Does Eloy enjoy travelling around with you and what do you think of the fans reaction when you're both together?

Stephen- It's difficult travelling, but the fans all love Eloy and his fans like me. It can be difficult cos I'm doing a lot of work.

Shell from N Wales asks: What's the best gift you've ever been given?

Stephen- One girl gave me an art of Disney book signed by the directors and writers- that was good. I've got a 60s star with my name on it.

Idy from Hong Kong asks: When will your baby Eloy release his album? Do you love it? You love your album more or his album?

Stephen- I don't know when he'll release his album. It's different to mine but I do like it. We're not in competition.

Hannah from The Philippines asks: Have you inspired and continue to inspire numerous people to come to terms and respect their own and others' sexuality? Do you see yourself advocating gay rights and working towards the liberation of people's minds towards this issue?

Stephen- No. I think everybody should just be themselves and live their lives. I don't see myself as an icon. If I've helped anybody in anyway- brilliant.

Steffi from Germany asks: Your music makes me so happy! What brings a smile on your beautiful face?

Stephen- Your question. I'm happy it makes you happy. Simple things in life make me happy.

Sam Trevers from Nottingham asks: Is there a meaning behind your new single I Believe?

Stephen- It's just about believing in yourself- following your goals and achieving your dream. It's a very positive song.

Sovy from Indonesia asks: Hi! Just wanna ask, when will you come back to Asia again cause I missed your performance?!

Stephen- I hope next year- don't know when. I had a great time this time and hope to go back soon (hiccups!)

Edidio Tricae (Italy) asks: In which country would you like to live? And in which country you would never live.

Stephen- I like living in Ireland and Amsterdam. I don't think I could live in the terrible cold.

Helz from Sussex asks: What do you think of Ronan's album?

Stephen- It's very good. There's a lot of ballads on there but I like it.

Hazel Golding from Kent asks: What is your most treasured item in the world?

Stephen- My family and friends and my collection of Disney Art.

Janet Peck from London asks: How would you like to be remembered in history?

Stephen- Probably for singing and for coming out but I'd like to be remembered for the music side of things, but as an individual.

Fiona Brown from Dumfries asks: If an elephant sat on you and squashed you, would you want it put on your gravestone?

Stephen- I'll already be 6 foot under.

Rosie from the UK asks: What question are you asked most often?

Stephen: What's your favourite colour?

Cindy from Belgium asks: Are you still writing songs at the moment?

Stephen- Yeah- I'm back in the studio next month and writing for other bands and artists. I like writing.

Sylvia from Germany/Cologne asks: Do you still want to adopt a child?

Stephen: Yes- we'd love to adopt but a the moment I've got 2 dogs and I can hardly take care of them cos I'm on the road so maybe in a few years time.

Vicky Ob from Hong Kong asks: Do you often check out your official website?

Stephen- Once a week at least- just to make sure everything's up and running.

Emma Dean from Birmingham asks: Are you and Boyzone planning to release another record?

Lisa Waring from College asks: When are Boyzone next touring?

Stephen- Don't know yet. Hopefully next year. I'd love to.

Stephen- Next year-again.

Nily from Israel asks: If you could make up any rumour about yourself, what would it be?

Stephen- That my album's been number 1 for 10 weeks- and the single.

Charlotte Howse from Essex asks: Do you keep all the teddie which are thrown at you while on stage?

Stephen- No, can't possibly, but we send them to children's charities, hospitals and orphanages.

Nicola Denningan from London asks: Who is your favourite artist of all time?

Stephen- I don't have one. I like whatever's in the charts if I like the song.

Vikki Parkinson from Manchester asks: Is it true you have a cameo role in the new Harry Potter movie? And if so, is this to be the first of others?

Stephen- I don't know whether I'll get the part- I'd love to do it. I'll know this week so keep your fingers crossed.

Nadine from the UK asks: What's the truth about the Boyzone movie? Will it really happen in the near future? I hope so cos Boyzone are still huge at the moment.

Stephen- We're waiting for the right script- for somebody to capture our sense of humour. There's a lot of big movie companies interested.

Alice from Switzerland asks: Do you ever want to make a duet with Eloy?

Stephen- I wouldn't mind. Probably will for his album but not for a single.

Wil from Glasgow asks: From all the songs you recorded (either solo or with Boyzone) which has been your favourite?

Stephen- The favourite hasn't been released. It's on the album. If Only You Were Here is probably my favourite.

Claire Buckpitt from Hertfordshire asks: What can we expect from Boyzone in the future?

Stephen- I don't know- just good laughs and to enjoy it.

Dotmusic- Just time for 2 more questions. . .

Emma Dean from Birmingham asks: What do you think of WESTLIFE????????????

Stephen- They're okay. I wish them luck.

Maple Gill from India asks: Do you ever cry?

Stephen- Yeah! Everybody cries, but I don't like crying in front of other people unless I know them.

Stephen- Thanks for all your questions- sorry I couldn't get through them all- it's been nice talking to you. Thanks for your support as always and I hope to be doing this soon again. Hope you enjoy the single out on Oct 2nd so fingers crossed.

Stephen- PS- if you want to contact me my website address is www.stephengately.com, but be careful- I'm always on there. Thank you and God bless!

Dotmusic- Stephen has now left the building. Thanks for logging on and see you all next time.