I DO Believe it!

With all the Boyzone guys doing their own thang for a while, everyone wants a piece of them to find out just what the dickens is going on. So lucky us, we nabbed the boy with the new beginning, Stephen gately, and bombarded him with your questions, demanding from him the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Wanna know what he said? Of course you do!

When Stephen Gately invited us for a chat and a cuppa at the posh Selfridges Hotel, we jumped at the chance. Armed with the questions you want answered, we hot footed it Stephen's way to find him in a chipper mood, despite his recent hectic schedule in Asia where he was promoting his album. "We did seven countries in 10 days, which was hectic but exciting. I came back, did more interviews, then had two weeks off, which was great," he tells us. Phewey!

That leads nicely into the first question.

What do you do in your time off? (Hannah, Chester)

"I relax and take it easy. I've got a boat and two dogs, a Shitzu called Joey and an American Cocker Spaniel called Woody. I love going on my boat with them. My house in Ireland is right by the sea, so when I'm at home I can do that whenever I feel like it. I like going to the pub with my friends and having a laugh, too. Oh, and I like riding motorbikes as well."

At gigs like Party In The Park 1999, the crowds are massive. How do you feel backstage knowing you're about to perform in front of that many people? (Amina Adewusi, London)

"It's breathtaking - absolutely amazing. There's nothing in the world like it when you're backstage and can hear the crowd and feel the atmosphere. It's a huge buzz. I prefer to play big audiences, that's why I was disappointed to be ill for this year's Party In The Park."

You've been poorly with kidney trouble lately. Are you okay now? (Dianne Kane)

"Fingers crossed, I'm fine now. I had trouble with my kidneys which was painful, but not too serious. The doctors were able to treat it without too much trouble, although it did involve all sorts of technology and lasers which was quite strange."

Are you going to do a solo tour? (Anna Regan, Belfast)

"There are no definite plans for a solo tour just yet. If I did, it'd be in the New Year. I'd love to tour, but it's early days and I'll have to see how things work out. I'll see how well the album does and if people want to come and see little old me!"

What's the best piece of advice you've been given and why? (Davina)

"About seven years ago somebody told me to be nice to people on the way up 'cause you might meet them again on the way down. I've always remembered that, and I always try to get along with everyone. I've been really lucky in that I haven't had to experience going down yet, and please God, I hope I don't have to. Not for a long time to come."

What's been the hardest point in your singing career, and what made you keep going rather than sacking it all? (Parisa)

"The hardest period was last year when I announced my relationship with another man. I was wondering how people would react - how the public would take it. I worried whether or not people would still feel the same towards me, or if things would change. It was an anxious time but the fans and general public were fantastic. I received thousands of faxes and emails of encouragement. It was a huge relief for it all to be out in the open and for everyone to know and be fine about it."

You've been an inspiration for lots of people. How does that feel? (Sian)

"It's nice. If I've helped others deal with who they are, and how they deal with their friends and family, then that's brilliant. I mean, I'm not an icon or anything like that. I'm just a normal fella who's in a relationship. I go down the pub, ride bikes, hang out with my friends. I'm glad I've helped to inspire people and I hope I can carry on doing that - in all aspects of my career and life."

Are you still in touch with the other Boyzone lads? (Danielle, Kent)

"Oh yeah, we're all busy with our own stuff but we always meet up if we're in the same places at the same time. I see the lads quite a bit considering we're running all over the place. I'm actually meeting up with Shane in a couple of days and we're going to a Japanese restaurant for dinner."

What's your favourite food? (Ruth and Mary)

"Japanese food. It's my all-time favourite. It's just so nice."

What are your hopes for the future? (The Myles family)

"To have a number one album! That and to continue being successful, singing and entertaining people, and to grow and get better at it. I'd also like to get into acting. I was acting before Boyzone came along and it's always something I've wanted to do. I might be appearing in the new Harry Potter film. I love the books, so it'd be brilliant if that happened. I might be appearing in a West End musical as well which would be perfect for me 'cause it would be singing and acting, a total dream job. The musical's called Billy Liar and it would start here in London's West End, then there are plans for it to go to Broadway in New York. Can you imagine it? Me, little Stephen Gately from Dublin appearing on Broadway! I'd really like that to happen."

I'm sure you've been asked this a lot, but are Boyzone splitting up? (Naseem)

"Ah, the big question! We haven't split up, we're all just really busy right now with our own projects, trying different things and seeing where that takes us. It's difficult to plan anything together until we see how everything else turns out, but the opportunity to do more Boyzone stuff is still there, so watch this space."

So, with your burning questions answered, we leave Stephen to have some lunch. His new single, I Believe, is out October 2nd and after that Mr Gately could be going on tour, appearing in a film, starring in a musical, or all three! Keep 'em peeled 'cause whatever happens, Stephen's one busy boy.