Stephen online

So many of you have e-mailed us questions for Stephen Gately that we couldn't wait to ask them. . .

• Can you use a computer and the Internet?

"I like using computers- I learnt how to use them at school. I'm not very fast at typing but I can get by. As for the Internet, well I'm quite good with it, I go on it occasionally. . . When I get the time that is. I set up my computer at home by myself, wires 'n' all!"

• What were you like when you were 14?

"I was very shy but I loved school and sports, especially swimming and sailing- I used to sail every Wednesday and Friday. I loved drama too and I worked in a bar too which was naughty 'cos I'd lied about my age to get the job."

• What was your worst school report?

"I had one that said 'Stephen has been absent from school' and that's cos I couldn't be bothered to go to certain classes. I'd just end up walking round for an hour or so and then I'd go on to my next class. Mind you, I did love school so I didn't do it too often."

• What scares you?

"Not much actually. I don't really like thriller films, I'm afraid of the dark, and I'm not keen on spiders either but I've held a tarantula in the palm of my hand so I can't be that bad can I?"

• Who did you last go and see in concert?

"I haven't been to a concert in ages. The last show I went to see was in Amsterdam and it was like a human circus with acrobats and dancers- it was amazing."

• Have you ever had a crush?

"I've had loads of crushes on people but I've never done anything about it, especially when I was younger cos I was too shy."

• Do you miss the rest of Boyzone when you're doing your solo stuff?

"Yeah, a lot. Ronan left me a message earlier actually. We always check in with each other on the phone. I miss the laughs and the jokes but at the same time my solo stuff is really exciting too."

• What's the best party you've been to?

"I don't really like parties but if I had to choose then I s'pose it would be the MTV Awards party or the Scream film premiere party cos I got to meet Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston."

• Are you going to do a solo tour?

"Hopefully. I'd love to do a solo tour but I'll have to release a few more songs first. Fingers crossed, it'll be next year."

• What's your worst fashion mistake?

"When we first started Boyzone we all wore these shirts, they were just plain colours but our stylist at the time cut the sleeves off and got this fabric like crepe paper and sewed it on the shirts. I was only 17 so didn't know any better!"

• Have you got any pets?

"I have two dogs actually, one is a shih-tzu called Joey and the other is an American cocker spaniel called Woody and they are the cutest dogs in the world. Joey is very intelligent- I've taught him lots of tricks.

• What was your first job?

"My first job was in a bar. I worked after school and earned about �2.50 an hour plus tips. I also used to chop up wood into sticks as fire starters and sell them for 30p a bag."

• Have you got any ambitions left?

"I'd love to act, especially in a movie. The only script I've seen at the moment is for an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but it meant spending so much time out to work on the musical and I had to dedicate all my time to the album. Other ambitions include being happy, having more than two weeks holiday a year and a successful debut album."

• Are you vain?

"No! But I do like to look after myself. I use moisturiser and make sure I look good."

• Have you ever worn a disguise to go out?

"Never! I don't believe in that. If you walk down the street and someone asks you for your autograph then so what, it's not a problem, especially if it's going to put a smile on someone's face."

• What's the worst question you've been asked?

"Erm, there's loads! I suppose the worst ones are those that ask you things like if you were a biscuit which one would you be, what's your fave colour, if you were an animal what would you be and why? You wouldn't believe how many times I've answered questions like those."

• You were quite ill recently, are you feeling better now?

"What do you mean after the trouble that I had with my kidneys a few months ago? Yes, I'm a lot better now thank you, and I feel much happier as well. Thank you very much for asking!

Stephen's second single I Believe is out this fortnight.