By Andy Sherwood. Camera: Alan Sim, Passenger

Click HERE to watch the video of the interview

Stephen Gately's back with a new single and we caught up with him to grill him about the future of Boyzone, Harry Potter and duets with Marilyn Manson.

Staying Around

Tell us about your new single...

Stephen: 'The new single is called 'Stay' and it's out 30 April! It's different from the last two songs. For my first two singles I was dressed a bit suity, and this one is just me in denim clothes. It's pop music and it has got that Backstreet and 'N Sync feel to it.'

Do you prefer 'Stay' to your last single 'New Beginning'?

Stephen: 'I love 'New Beginning' and I love 'Stay'. 'New Beginning' was a great song but it wasn't my choice for a second single. 'Stay' is really cool and I really pleased, very optimistic about it.'

Have you got any plans for a solo tour?

Stephen: 'I'd love to go out on a tour early next year. After this single I am going to take some time off just to get back into my every day life.'

What's your inspirations behind 'Stay'? We've heard it's Britney Spears...
Stephen: 'It's not inspired by Britney Spears, I just think that sound is very happening at the moment and there's no solo artists doing that kinda thing - it's all groups or female solo artists so I thought I would do it myself and see how it goes.'

What music do you listen to?

Stephen: 'I love pop, rock classical - I listen to anything. I love Backstreet Boys, and Britney's album is good, but I also listen to Dido. I'd love to record with Britney. Her album is fantastic. I definitely would if she was up for it. I like Eminem. I wouldn't mind doing something with Eminem or Marilyn Manson. Picture me, cutey little Stephen in a Marilyn Manson video. Cool!'

Caught In The Act

Are you starring in the stage show Billy Liar?

Stephen: 'I went for a meeting and never heard anything back. Then the next thing I heard was 'Stephen pulls out of Billy Liar'. I never had any discussions about how much I was getting paid, about rehearsals, what the songs were - so there was nothing there for me to pull back on. I would love to do something in the future - but at the moment I'm concentrating on my singing.'

What about the Harry Potter movie?

Stephen: 'The Harry Potter movie didn't happen because all the speaking roles had all gone when I applied for a part. I was an extra before in The Commitments so I didn't want to be an extra again. There's always Part Two, Three and Four coming out so hopefully someone will spot me.'

Have you always liked the Potter books?

Stephen: 'I used to read a lot of Enid Blyton - not the Famous Five ones but The Enchanted Wood and stuff like that - all magical things. I read Lord Of The Rings when I was young and The Hobbit. I think that Harry Potter is so brilliantly written, very witty and just lovely stories.'

What role would you love to play in a Potter movie?

Stephen: 'I wouldn't mind playing one of Ron Weasley brothers - he has all the brothers who are prefects in the school. Or maybe a character like in The Grinch. That was fantastic costume and make-up - with a bad heart in a comic way.'

Which actors do you like?

Stephen: 'Robby Downey Jnr in 'Ally McBeal' was fantastic. Anthony Hopkins is great and Emma Thompson - I really like - and Kate Winslet. People who can change - like Robert De Niro - and be so convincing as characters for years. I admire that.'

Boyzone Rumours

Come on Stephen, will Boyzone ever tour again?

Stephen: 'I love Boyzone and I would love to be able to do a tour again but at the moment it's not looking great. We wanted to do it at the end of the year - just purely because we were doing so much promotion for Boyzone as individuals - every interview asked us about Boyzone - it was always 'what's happening with Boyzone'.'

Would you like to do the tour?

Stephen: 'It's a shame it is not going to go ahead this year. Ronan has his sights set on other things like going to America and being successful, which is fair enough. But it would have been nice to do a tour just to say thanks for the support to all the fans.'

Do you prefer doing your own thing?

Stephen: 'I'm writing some material at the moment. I have just started a song - just 12 lines. The song I've written is beautiful so I think I am going to record a full version of it.'

Future Pop

We've heard you're a big Donna Summer fan?

Stephen: 'I'd like to work with Donna Summer. I'd love to do a ballad with her - I think she has an amazing voice and is a very nice woman as well. There is lots of people I would love to duet with but if they are willing to or not is another thing.'

Is it true you've been on a health kick lately?

Stephen: 'I've stopped drinking alcohol. I did like to drink but been off it for six months, and have been working out, cycling, walking the dogs - just toning up, getting fitter. I had kidney stones before and I don't want the same thing happening again.'

Have you got any plans for another single?

Stephen: 'I'm promoting this single and then I'm going to take some time to go on holiday. If all goes well, I might release 'If Only You Were Here', which I almost released instead of this single. I wrote it about two years ago. I'll be happy if that's released next.'