Heat- June 2000

"Let's not talk about the gay stuff, I'm f***ing sick of it"

Boyzone's Stephen Gately is fed up of talking about his sexuality. But he's got plenty to tell Damon Syson about shih-tzus, his boyfriend, dresses and adopting a baby.

AS THE ABOVE HEADLINE suggests, Stephen Gately has just lost his rag. It's a shock: he's not the kind of person you expect to get angry- certainly not with a member of the press around. In fact "charming", "warm", and "genuine" are words normally associated with the urchin-faced Boyzoner.

But just for a brief instant, a soup�on of irritation has crept into his voice. he's even uttered-gasp!- a rude word (a lamentable lapse of concentration for which he chastises himself during the remainder of the rest of the interview. After all, housewives' favourites don't use the F-word.)

You can't really blame him for losing his rag. It's been a long day. He's just flown down from Newcastle where he's been promoting his first solo single, New Beginning, and is about to appear on Channel 4's The Priory before flying to Liverpool for more interviews.

And you can't blame him for being annoyed by a certain line of questioning. Because everywhere he goes these days, he's no longer plain ol' stephen Gately, he's "the gay one from Boyzone". Ever since he came out last June and went public about his relationship with Dutch boy-band singer Eloy de Jong- with the legendary sun splash: "I'm gay and I'm in love"- the whole world wants to know all about Stephen's love life. Heat included.

Things seem to be going pretty well for you at the moment.

Yeah, it's one of the happiest times of my life. I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in at the moment- about to venture out with a solo album, and in a very good relationship. I've got two dogs, a house in Ireland, I spend some time in Amsterdam. . . it's cool, really really cool.

Is Amsterdam your home now?

No, I still have my house in Ireland. I don't think I could ever leave Ireland; it's my base. But I do love Holland as well. Because Eloy's from there, we kind of go back and forth, see his family and see my family.

What kind of dogs do you have?

we got Joey about a year ago and he's a shih-tzu. And I got Woody from Eloy for my birthday. He's a Merton cocker spaniel. He's dead cute. I love them, they're great fun.

Geri Halliwell's got a shih-tzu too; have you compared notes?

We did actually, at the Capital Radio Awards. We had a long chat about shih-tzus and she said they're just the best dogs, great company. It was really nice to have a chat about shih-tzus rather than just talking about the business.

So who made the first move, you or Eloy?

Next question!

Are you clubbers or homebodies?

I love home. I hardly ever go clubbing. Well, never. I like to sit down and socialise, have dinner, or else have a couple of beers and chat, rather than going out dancing.

What do you argue about?

Just little things, stupid things, same as anyone else. Over a fork or a table or something- stuff like, "Oh, I like that one," and he doesn't. Ridiculous things.

Who does the hoovering?

Both of us. We're both very domesticated.

Did you have serious relationships before Eloy?

No.

Would it have been difficult to have one when Boyzone first started out?

Yeah, sure. Because of joining the group at an early age, 17, and knowing that you're gay. But still-going along, getting in, joining the group- you're not going to knock the opportunity of your life by saying you're gay.

Do you think there are other people in the public eye who are in the same position you were in?

I'm sure there are, and I feel sorry for them. It's very, very difficult. It's not like one person coming out to their family, it's like coming out to the world. I mean, it was in The New York Post! That's what I kept saying, I can't believe people are that interested in little me.

Have any celebrities asked your advice about coming out?

No. It was really nice when I came out though- I got flowers from Elton John, George Michael and Lily Savage. I got a really nice letter from Graham Norton, loads of people. Dale Winton was really cool, really funny- he goes, "I was the last one to know!"

What do you think of the pressure Mel C's been under regarding her sexuality?

Actually we speak on the phone sometimes. I don't know what to say; she's a strong girl, because it can really hurt, especially if you're not gay and you're getting all this. Is she still going out with Jay from Five? If she is, I hope she's really happy. I hope she meets someone. . . a nice guy, she likes. I just wish happiness for her because she's a nice girl.

Before you came out, did you dread being asked relationship questions in interviews?

I kind of new sooner or later the whole thing would come out, so I was always very careful the way I answered certain questions- I didn't want to be seen as a liar. I'd always say: "When I meet the right person, I'll settle down."

Who did you fancy when you were growing up?

I'm not going to give you any names. I really fancied Eloy the first time I saw him.

Love at first sight?

Definitely.

Why did you come out in The Sun, which has been quite homophobic in the past?

Because the story was being sold to The Sun. But to be honest, they gave me an opportunity. Somebody was going to write about it- it was on the cover of four papers that day. So I did an interview with The Sun and they were really cool about it, really supportive.

Do you think that was a good sign of attitudes changing in general?

Yeah, sure it was a good sign. But it was the 90s, it shouldn't have to be a problem, though it still is in some cases. But let's not talk about the gay stuff, I'm f***ing sick of it.

Fair enough.

No, actually, don't put f***ing. i didn't say f***ing, right?

Anyway. . . New Beginning. A fitting title for your single?

Definitely. It represents me personally, and the millennium, or someone having a baby, or moving abroad. It can represent anything.

There's speculation Boyzone will split now.

there's been that sort of speculation for six years. We read an interview once that claimed to be "the last Boyzone interview ever", and the next day we did a TV show in the same country. At the moment we're actually talking about doing a new tour. It would be a waste to throw away something that's been going so well.

Is it true there's been a bit of a rift between you and Mikey [Graham, another member of Boyzone]? Why didn't he turn up to the launch party for your single when all the other Boyzone lads did?

I assumed everybody was going to be working that day, but I turned up and there were the guys. Mikey was in Ireland working. People are seeing it as an Emma Bunton/Geri Halliwell situation, but it's not and we'd never let it get to that. We've been through so much together, why would we want to? It wouldn't be right.

But your single and his single came out in the same week. how did that happen?

We didn't know what day Mikey was releasing. well, actually, he knew what day I was releasing, and then his company said maybe release yours on the same day? But he said no, release it the week after- then it got changed back.

So you haven't spoken to each other personally about it?

Oh yeah, we're cool. We just wouldn't hold it against each other personally.

Boyzone's image has always been quite clean cut, hasn't it?

I don't think so. For the first couple of years, yeah, just getting established- you're scared of being kicked out, so you're pretty calm. But when you get a bit older you start wanting to be more of a person yourself, so we started doing things. And before you knew it there were marriages, babies, a coming out. . .

Let's clear up a few tabloid rumours. Has Eloy got a tattoo of your name on his arm?

[Laughs coyly] Might have. Where did you read that? we might have tattoo's of each other's names on our arms. . . I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no.

Is it true you'd like to adopt a child?

I've got two dogs and I can hardly take care of them with all the travelling! But i would love a kid, yes.

Do you see that happening?

Yes. To be honest, I've done well, I've made a bit of money and I'd like to put kids through a good school, a really good college and, you know, give a kid an opportunity. i know what it's like to struggle- I come from a really poor background- so that's what we'd like to do.

What would you call your kid?

I don't know. I like Charlie for a girl. And I like Ethan for a boy. I wouldn't give them a dodgy name that would get them kicked around at school and get their lunch money robbed.

Where do you get your suits made?

I love Gucci. And Jil Sander.

Have you ever thought about changing your image?

Change my image? To what? Like something outrageous? No, no. I'm not that type of guy. I might be gay, but I'm a guy. I dress like a guy, speak like a guy, that's it. everybody to their own. If people want to dress up and go out in dresses, fair play, but I'm just not into it.

I wasn't suggesting a dress. . .

Yeah, I know, but anyone who does, that takes bottle, so fair play to them.

Did you ever watch BoyZ Unlimited, the spoof documentary about boy bands?

Oh, you mean the comedy thing. . . I did see it. I only saw one episode, but it was fantastic. there were a lot of things that were quite true. It was completely taking the piss, but I loved it. Me and Ronan were watching it and cracked up laughing because it did give an idea of what it's like. It was a bit exaggerated, of course, but I thought it was hilarious. I'm surprised they're not doing another series.

Maybe they're waiting for you to. . .

Do more stupid things, give them some more material? Ha ha.

Have you ever visited any Amsterdam coffee houses?

No, I'd be afraid, to be honest. Me in a coffee shop? I'd be all over the place. It's nice to walk down the street past them though, and the red-light district is such a laugh. Lots of stag nights.

What's the one thing you wish people wouldn't say about you?

they call me "the cute one". I'm 24, for goodness sake. "Ooh, he's the cute one"- they go on as if I'm 16. it's quite funny, but sometimes it annoys me.

Did people used to call you Monkey Boy?

Monkey Boy? that was a long time ago. It was Smash Hits who started that off. I had a laugh with it, went along with it for a while. You're the first person to call me that in a while.

Is there anything else you want to add?

[Laughing] Yeah, if you put f***ing in, I'll kill you. You can put stars, but not the full word.