Sugar- July 2000

SOLO STEPHEN

HE'S GOT A STAR-STUDDED CAREER, A FAB BOYFRIEND AND NOW A SOLO SINGLE. BUT IS THIS THE START OF LIFE AFTER BOYZONE? MR GATELY REVEALS ALL. . .

THE PAST

IMAGINE IF BOYZONE HAD BEEN A ONE HIT WONDER. WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING NOW?

I'd have probably gone back to being an actor, I did a bit of acting before I joined the band and I really enjoyed it actually. I'd like to start acting in films now.

WAS IT DISCUSSED WITH THE BAND BACK THEN THAT YOU WERE GAY?

It was and we decided to keep it quiet. I talked about it a lot with my parents and we felt that I was very young to come out in public, also it wasn't as acceptble then, a lot of people thought that being gay was wrong.

HOW DID IT FEEL TO HIT THE BIG TIME AND BE SURROUNDED BY SCREAMING FANS?

It was amazing! My family were very poor and to suddenly have lots of money was incredible. I'm very grateful for what I've been given. You never get used to the devotion of the fans either. I never take them for granted.

YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A REAL SEX SYMBOL TO YOUR TEENAGE FANS. DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE LIVING A LIE?

Yeah, but not because I was gay. I didn't think I was good looking enough for girls to fancy me. I had no confidence back then and although it's improving, I still see photos of myself and think I look awful. Ronan's good looking, but I just don't think that I'm in the same category as him.

WERE THERE TIMES WHEN YOU FELT LIKE QUITTING?

It was tough when we first started out. We'd perform at some clubs and the girls would watch but the boys would just snarl at us.

WHAT DID YOU BUY WITH YOUR FIRST PAY CHEQUE?

I bought two pairs of shoes and sent my family on holiday. It felt great knowing I could spoil them.

THE PRESENT

YOU'RE NOW OPENLY GAY. HOW'S IT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

It's like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I've had amazing support from everyone. The Sun were going to tell my story anyway, but I got there first. Elton John and George Michael even sent me congratulatory flowers.

ALL THE BOYS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THEIR OWN PROJECTS. SO IS THIS THE END OF BOYZONE?

Hopefully not, we already have meetings about our next projects together. Whilst things are still working for us as a band, we'll stick together.

IS IT WEIRD DOING AN ALBUM WITHOUT THE REST OF BOYZONE?

It's great to just be thinkig about what I want to be doing instead of what four other people want! Also with Boyzone, Ronan sang the main bits and I did the high stuff, but there's actually quite a lot more to my voice than just high notes! I think that many people will be surprised by my new album! It's not just full of ballads y'know!

HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE YOU HIT THE BIG TIME?

I don't think I have changed all that much. I always try to avoid big glitzy parties, and I don't have that many showbiz friends. I think I've become a much better judge of character, now I know if someone's genuine. In this business you meet so many people who aren't!

DO GIRLS STILL TRY TO CHAT YOU UP EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW YOU WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED?

Some of them do. Most of them just want a smile and a hug. If girls do try and come on to me, I just laugh and usually they laugh too. I take it with a pinch of salt.

YOU'RE RELEASING YOUR SINGLE ON THE SAME DAY AS MIKEY. WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THIS?

(Looking cross) Mikey's releasing the same day as me! He knew my release date and still decided to do it. I think it's terrible and I couldn't believe he did it. I was hurt but I'm just not going to talk about it. Even so we're still friends, I called him the other day, but we chose not to discuss the singles.

THE FUTURE

DO YOU THINK BY COMING OUT YOU'VE PAVED THE WAY FOR OTHER BOY BAND MEMBERS?

I think it will still be difficult for other people. Boyzone were so established already, that we knew we would have fans behind us. It might not be that easy for others.

WHERE DO YOU SEE BOYZONE IN 10 YEARS?

Hopefully we'll still be together. We'll carry on a bit like the Rolling Stones!

WHICH MEMBER OF THE BAND DO YOU THINK HAS SUPERSTAR POTENTIAL?

I hope we all do, but I thik Ronan will really make it. I think Shane will forget the limelight. He's not into it. He likes rally driving instead.

WE RECKON YOU'LL GO DOWN IN POP HISTORY AS THE FIRST MEMBER OF A BOY BAND TO REVEAL HE'S GAY. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

I hope that it makes people realise how much courage it takes to do something like that. I think I've opened a lot of minds and helped other people who have been struggling with their sexuality. It's good to know I've helped people.

ARE YOU AND ELOY (STEPHEN'S BOYFRIEND) LOOKING TO START A NEW BOYZONE FAMILY?

I'd love to, but I just don't have the time at the mo'.

YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH ALREADY. WHAT ELSE COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE THAT YOU WOULD POSSIBLY WANT TO DO?

There's always room for improvement! I don't know how my new album will do but I'd like to make more music, maybe a film too. There are lots of things to do out there and I don't want to miss a single opportunity!