Slimline Stephen gets the shakes

Stephen Gately has 'done a Geri' and is sporting a new slimline physique- thanks to a milkshake diet. The former Boyzone star has been enjoying his home comforts too much in the last year and has piled on the pounds.

His once sylph-like frame had become decidedly chunky and Stephen had taken to hiding his paunch behind ludicrously huge Aran jumpers. But after a friendly word from his record company, who suggested a dashing new look wouldn't do his career any harm, Stephen is now 20 lb lighter.

But, unlike Geri, there are no wacky vitamin injections involved. Stephen has been following the Slimfast diet of flavoured milkshakes. He has cut out his favourite biscuits and fizzy drinks and now just eats a healthy meal of fish and steamed vegetables. And to add the finishing touch, sources say that Stephen has dyed his hair a fetching new shade of russet brown. Stephen and his record company are hoping that his new look will help kick-start his solo career, which has been steady but nowhere near as huge as Boyzone pal Ronan Keating's.

His last single Stay only managed to reach No 13 in the chart.