The Sun- June 2nd 2000

He came OUT in The Sun

Now Stephen comes IN to The Sun

STEPHEN GATELY was inspired to write a touching new song on the day he told The Sun he was gay.

He told me that he was so moved he penned Judgement Day about the experience.

It's almost a year since his brave confession and the singer dropped in to our Wapping HQ yesterday to visit the world's No 1 showbiz column.

Stephen, at No 2 in the music industry's midweek sales chart with his debut solo single New Beginning, said that life as an openly gay man was better than ever.

He told me: "It had been like living on Death Row before I came out. But when the story appeared it was a release. Writing the song was one of the first things I did.

"I've had a fantastic year since I told The Sun I was gay and in love with my boyfriend, Eloy de Jong.

"It's a great feeling to do what I want instead of having to travel or go shopping with him separately. It has changed my life.

"I want to start a family and we both really want to adopt a baby. It's like I've got a new life. It's my new beginning.

"Since last year fans have been really supportive and I've been able to get on with my life and my solo career."

He then held up the front page of yesterday's Sun about two gay dads who want to adopt a third child and said: "I love reading the paper and it's really exciting to be in the building where it all happens.

"I'm really nervous about the new single but it's also very exciting.

"I've even had messages on my mobile from Mel C, who wishes me luck in the charts. Life just couldn't be better."

His debut album. . .

STEPHEN releases his debut album New Beginning on June 19. Here's his track-by-track review.

1. NEW BEGINNING: This is my first single off the album and is all about leaving the past behind.

2. I BELIEVE: From a film called The Dancer, starring Julie Walters.

3. IF ONLY YOU WERE HERE: I wrote this for Eloy and sang it at the G.A.Y club last weekend.

4. STAY: It has rhythm to tap your feet to.

5. WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE: This will make you dance. It has a feel of George Michael's Faith.

6. WHERE DO WE GO: A big ballad accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra.

7. JUDGEMENT DAY: An upbeat song about coming out in The Sun.

8. YOU LIED: This is about people who are not honest with you.

9. FAR FROM LOVE: An Irish sound with flutes. When I listen to this one it reminds me of home.

10. JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE: This is about two people who love each other so much they want to stay together forever.

11. DO WITHOUT ME: This is another about people cheating - and finding real friends.

12. COMING BACK: A song about loving something so much you just have to keep having it.

13. BRIGHT EYES: A cover of Art Garfunkel's 1978 No 1 single. I love it.