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THE IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW AT HOME

STEPHEN GATELY

THE HANDSOME BOYZONE SINGER INVITES US INSIDE HIS CONVERTED MILL HOUSE IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC

Stephen Gately of Boyzone greets his entourage of guests in stocking feet at the front door of his newly converted Mill House. Once inside his homely kitchen, the pop star adored by millions is soon busying himself, making tea and coffee. His big sister Michelle, her 2 year old son Jordan, their Dalmatian dog and Stephen's little brother Tony, 16, join in the fun. The house exudes a relaxed family atnosphere- although Stephen lives here alone at the moment. He moved in at the beginning of September, but has hardly had time to enjoy his new property, which is near his hometown of Dublin, as Boyzone have only just finished their world tour. As Boyzone enjoy a break from their hectic schedule, OK! took the opportunity to talk to the heartthrob singer about life at the centre of the Irish pop phenomenon.

Is this your first home alone?

No. I had a flat on the waterfront near Dublin for 2 years. None of the other Boyzone lads have ever been there- it was my very own private place, and nobody ever found out about it.

So you keep big secrets from each other?

When you've been touring with 4 other lads for 5 years, you know them inside out. Back in the early days, we knew how to wind each other up and sometimes we did it on purpose- for a laugh. But now we're older and more mature, we think; "what's the point?" We really respect each other and get on. We get on better now than we ever did.

Did Ronan tell you in advance about his wedding to Yvonne?

No! I just got a message from him saying he needed to talk to me urgently. I thought the worst- fearing that something awful had happened. But when I rang him back, he told me he'd got married- and I said; "You're joking!" Then when they came home, they threw a big party and we all celebrated.

Do you all get on with each other's partners and wives?

Oh yeah. Yvonne's a lovely girl. They all come out and see us on tour. My mum come over and see me.

What do your parents make of your job?

It's different with my mum and dad. It's not that they can't believe what I'm doing, it's more that they simply don't completely understand. A lot of people who are very close to me don't understand. My mum and dad and brother Alan- who's 2 years older than me- don't get it. They just see the glamour and not all the hectic hard work behind the scenes.

So you can't turn to your mum and dad if you have a problem?

I generally talk to my sister Michelle, 24, brother Alan, 23, little brother Tony, 16, and my older brother Mark, 28. They all understand what I'm going through, and they're very good to talk to. And my stylist, Alex, who's been on the road with Boyzone since we began 5 years ago. He's really good to talk to.

Where do you think you'll be 10 years down the line?

I don't know. I don't even want to imagine.

Will there be a point when you want more time for yourself and your new home?

Well, I've been lucky with the house and hope to have time to enjoy it in the future. I've got tons of people to thank for making it as wonderful as t is. My brother-in-law Alan Carr, who's an architect, discovered the building and redesigned it. It's taken him a whole year and he's done a fantastic job. My brother Mark, who's a carpenter, did all the woodwork and my friends Orla Byrne and her boyfriend Greg painted all the friezes and walls. I explained the Disney theme of the house and told them how I wanted it painted, then I let them do what they pleased.

Would you like to own a property anywhere else in the world?

Yes. I really want to live in Paris and Prague, and I would love to have an apartment in New York.

Do you have friends in those cities?

From travelling around the world so much, I have made friends in loads of different countries, and I always ring them when I'm near them, in the hope that we can meet up. Wherever I am, if I have a day off, I just hit the telephone and work my way through my phone book, just catching up with everyone.

Will the mill house become a sanctuary for your showbiz pals?

Yeah, definitely. I've already invited Shaznay [Lewis, from pop group All Saints] over when she has some time off. All of my friends, like Emma Bunton, Mel C and the rest of the Spice Girls, are more than welcome to visit me here.

How would you spend an evening with your pop star friends?

I'd cook them dinner. I love cooking and I'd make them anything from lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, curry- like a chicken tikka- to a traditional roast dinner. I really, really enjoy cooking, and there's nothing better than cracking open a bottle of wine and chatting to some friends while you stand by the stove.

So, do you collect your own groceries?

Yeah. I don't get hassled. A couple of fans might ask for an autograph and that's fine. If I do get mobbed by screaming girls, I tell them to calm down and that 'm happy to sign autographs.

Do you think the fans have eased off?

No. If anything we have even more since No Matter What.

Have you ever suffered from intrusive fans?

I used to be vary paranoid. I just would not go out of the house- ever. It happened about a year and a half ago and it was a frightening feeling. If I did dare to go out, I'd be looking over my shoulder all the time, scared that someone was following me. It got really, really difficult, and I decided I couldn't live like that. I didn't want to let it destroy me, so I coped by learning to meditate.

What else do you do to relax?

I just take time out and sit in my room and read a book that's uplifting and that really helps me. At the moment, I'm reading Conversations With God, about a man who talked to God and gained great insight from it. It's very positive and I'm really enjoying it. I relax by listening to Enigma [ambient British band] or, at the moment, the Titanic soundtrack.

Do you ever get homesick?

I used to get homesick very badly. When I first went on tour when I was 17 years old, I would spend days in tears because I missed my parents home so much. That went on for 2 years, but I carried on because it was a big opportunity. Now I love it- every time I go away it's like a big adventure. I'm 22 years of age, and I've been to so many countries in the world- for free! How lucky could you get?

You were very young to be moving away from home. . .

We're all very mature for our ages. I have some friends, who are 22, who seem to me to be like 18 year olds, and they say I act like a 26 year old! But it's just because I've seen a lot more.

Do you plan to add a gym to the house?

I will be making a gym, sauna and poll in the building next door next to the main house. At the moment, though, I don't go to the gym and just keep fit from dancing. I put on weight easily, but I eat healthily. I've just done one of those allergy tests and now I'm allowed alcohol once a week, but I can't have cheese, tomatoes or chocolate. I'm pretty determined, so it shouldn't be a problem changing my diet.

You're determined in everything you do, aren't you?

You've got to be. That's the key to success.

But you don't come across as ruthless. . .

No. I'd never treat people badly. I believe what goes around comes around. I don't want to make enemies, because all this could be gone tomorrow. Three months ago, a 21 year old friend dropped dead- and I thought "that could be me". I don't want to have any enemies before I die, so I always try to be polite to people- but there are a lot of rude people in this business.

Do you worry people are friends with you because of what you are rather than who you are?

I'm a very intuitive person- especially about what other people are like. Within 5 minutes of meeting someone, I make my judgement- I'm tuned in to people. That's why I'm surrounded by people who I trust, and who are genuine. I don't want to work with anyone else.

Have you still got friends you had before you found fame with Boyzone?

I don't really have many of the friends that I had before I was in the band. They just don't understand the lifesyle. But there are still a couple of best friends who are always there for me. When you come home and you catch up with everything in the first half an hour and forget about work, things go back to how they used to be, and you have a drink and a laugh.

Do you have a special message for your many fans?

I just want to say a big thank you to all our fans and the people who have helped us. Thanks for the support. God bless, strive to be happy and keep the faith.

BOYZONE'S NEW SINGLE I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE ME IS OUT ON NOVEMBER 23, ON POLYDOR RECORDS