Flying Solo  
R: So I hear you've got your single coming out on July 28 ( I think he meant 26th - Karen) How ya feeling about your solo career?  
R: Well, you know Ro, it's a daunting time for me. It's all new, it's gonna be scary being away from the lads but it's something I want to do and I'm looking forward to it.  
R: There's a lot of talk about it in the UK. There's a buzz about it...  
R: Oh well, thanks very much, but you never know which way it'll go, you're only as big as your last single.  
R: You're always so modest?  
R: Yeah thanks very much. I try to be, no-one likes a cocky pop star.  
R: But what about these rumours that your solo single might lead to the end of Boyzone?  
R: Well, it's understandable that people are saying that, but we don't want to break up, this is something we want to do as individuals.  
R: Oh, c'mon Ronan. You might get a taste for this solo stuff...  
R: Well you never know what might happen, but you have to take it one day at a...oh, everyone's looking at me now, cos I'm talking to myself.  
R: You're not talking to yourself at all Ronan, I'm talking to you.  
R: Will you stop. Now you're getting weird on me!  
R: Er...I've forgotten what I was going to ask you, Ro.  
(Pause. Both Ronans laugh, shrug, stare at the tape recorder and then  
bravely soldier on.)  

Interviews and interviewers  
R: You must have been asked a million questions at this stage. Are you bored of interviews?  
R: You know, some interviews can be boring, some can be hard, but it's the only way to get my message across. And I enjoy doing them, I really do.  
R: But what about people like me, interviewers. Do you think they're always fishing for something?  
R: Aah, well maybe some of them are fishing for something and there's  
always the writers who like to mock ya and knock ya but that doesn't bother me. Only jealous people have to write nasty bits.  
R: (Laughing) Well I won't be doing that. But what about when people ask personal questions that you don't want to answer?  
R: Well, now you have to answer them in a roundabout way - y'know answer them in a totally different way to the way it was asked. In fact I'm doing it now, cos I don't know what I just asked myself. (Laughs. Pause.)  
R: Are there any questions you always wanted to be asked?  
R: Sure, like " How much money do you want Ronan?" Hahaha! Nah, I think I've been asked every question going, but I've never done an interview like this, which is cool. I've never asked myself the questions. And it's kinda difficult to be honest with you.  
R: Why's it difficult?  
R: I don't know, it's just weird, you're trying to split your brain in half and be the interviewer and interviewee. And it's not as easy as people would imagine it to be. Even now I'm blank trying to think about what question to ask next...  
R: Aah yeah, but it's a good interview, it's a different way of looking at things.  
R: Sure, I guess if I'd had more time to prepare for it, it would've been a better interview. I'm very sorry to the readers who are reading it, but it's not my fault. I was given 25 minutes to think about this one.  
R: And it's not my fault either, hahaha! (Pause.) So you've no wish to be an interviewer?  
R: NO! What about yourself, fancy being in a band?  
R: If there's a band I'd like to be in, it's Boyzone. But, I don't think I'd be in a boyband, it's not my style. I'd be in a rock band, hahaha!  
After running out of questions, Ronan heads for a nearby cafe, where he orders coffee and makes a list of subjects he should ask himself about. So, by the time the coffee arrives both Ronans are ready to continue...  

Stephen, Westlife and the rumours  
R: So what about the whole Stephen matter, when he 'came out' about being gay?  
R: Y'know, that was Stephen's decision and we all admire him for it. It  
was a big move and it was tough, but given the response of the fans I think it was definitely a positive one. You know when Yvonne and myself decided to get married we were scared about how the fans would react and they've been fantastic.  
R: And what is life at home like at the moment?  
R: Life at home is magic. I don't get home enough but when I do I make the most of it. At the moment the weather is good so we're having barbecues and stuff like that. Jack's growing up and we're laughing every day. Life's good, never been better.  
R: Is there anything else you want to say?  
R: Yeah, well Westlife's new single IF I Let You Go is coming out on August 9, and the album's due for release in October. So things are looking good.  
R: C'mon now, that was just a shameless plug.  
R: Yeah, I know, hahaha!  
R: Is there anything you want to say about the other members of the band?  
R: Yeah, I do. They're a shower of (BLEEP), hahaha! Nah, they're the best blokes I've ever met, and I hope to know them all long after all this is over.  
R: So Ronan, what about these rumours that you're going into the movies...  
R: Aah well, obviously there's the Boyzone movie that will be coming up next year, but also a friend of  mine, BP Fallon, who has written two books about Boyzone, will be getting together with myself to write the script for another movie, but I don't want to give too much away at the moment.  
R: But what about all these other rumours...  
R: To be honest I don't want to get into any of that right now...  
R: Are you sure?  
R: Yeah, no honestly I'd rather not talk about it.  
R: Now, c'mon Ronan.  
R: No, please.  
R: Ro...  
R: ( Shouting.) DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID? I said please.  
R: (Laughing.) OK, Ro, well that's really all the questions I have for you. Thanks, I've really enjoyed this, you bring out the best in me as an interviewer and I just want to say good luck with the single and I hope Jack and Yvonne are well. And listen, keep the high notes low, good luck and God Bless you, man.  
R: Thanks very much. Bye, bye.  
And with that, the two Ronans shake hands, slap each other on the back and wave goodbye. Or they would, except that Ronan - ever the perfectionist - still isn't happy with the opening...  
R: This is opening, take two. So Ronan, how are you doing?  
R: Good thanks, busy at the minute. We're tired you know but life has never been better. We're off to LA tomorrow actually.. It's funny, everybody's thinking that Boyzone are breaking up and in fact we're going to break America. (Smiles.) Little do they know. And with that piece of excellent news, it really is time to go. Quick, before they start arguing again...  

WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS?  
Does Ronan's solo single signal the beginning of the end for Boyzone? Recently, we've all been biting nails about the future of Boyzone, but now Ronan's solo single is actually here, is it time to say our fond farewells? Absolutely not, says Ronan: " We don't want to break up, we're about to go out to LA, we want to tour at Christmas, our movie's coming out next year and the new album will hopefully be coming later next year too." In fact Ronan finds it hard to face the prospect of breaking up Boyzone: " Y'know, inevitably, one day we will break up," Ro says sadly, " but that's a long way down the road." And even when Boyzone do break up, Ronan reckons little in life is permanent: " who knows, when hell freezes over we might get back together for a comeback like some sad old rockers, hahaha!" That said Ronan isn't the only member of Boyzone with solo ambitions.He told us, " Stephen's single from Watership Down (Bright Eyes) will be out in October, and I think Mikey will be going for an early New Year release with his album." Having hear Ronan's brilliant solo stuff, we're all keen to know what the others can do, but Ro isn't giving much away: " I haven't heard too much material yet but I'm sure it will be very different to Boyzone, especially Mikey's. I know he wants to do a different style of music. And I know Stephen's will be more poppier, more like bubblegum pop." And while Shane and Keith are more interested in family life than solo careers, Ronan can almost imagine what noises they might make if left on their own: " I think if Keith ever did solo stuff it'd be pretty rocky, lots of guitar and although I know Shane isn't interested, if he did anything it would be down the rap and ragga path."But, if Shane releases a solo rap record or not (go on Shanno!), as Ro looks forward to his own solo hit, he's more determined than ever to keep his band together: " There are things we want to do as individuals, but these four blokes are my best mates, simple as that." 

*              an article from Sun-RONAN'S COOK-UP  
(thanx a lot to Sarah Liptrott anamcara@currantbun.com for the information) 
RONAN KEATING, who is having a range of Heinz meals namesd after him, has confessed he can't even boil an egg. The Boyzone star laughed: "It's all going to be quick easy stuff 'cos I can't cook!" Ronan spilled the, er, beans on his lack of culinary expertise before singing a duest with Baby Spice Emma Bunton at the Wicked Women Concert in London. Emma started a fashion trend at the fund raiseing bash for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity. Fans went crazy for her black T_shirt bearing the Breakthrough's pink logo and tried to buy copies. But organisers were only selling white ones. Now an order for black versions will be sent to the manufacturers.A host od stars showed off new hairdos at the concert. Baby Spice sported purple hair extentions and Gabrielle donned an Afro wig while Dina Carroll unveiled blonde highlights.  

*              Sun Article - GAY STEVE PULLS FANS 
(thanx a lot to Sarah Liptrott anamcara@currantbun.com for the information) 
BOYZONE has gained a new gay following since Stephen Gately declared he was gay, says band leader Ronan Keating. Fans have backed him 100 per cent after he came out in The Sun last month. Ronan siad: "It could have been difficult - you never know how the fans will react. But our gay audience is now huge, it's great."Ronan in an Internet chat for Sky News, added that being a pop star was fantastic.He said: "I always thought I would be a policeman or a guard in Ireland!" 

*              Mirror Online - about Shane's accident 
(thanx a lot to Gigi Chang bzsg@netscape.net for the information) 
MATTHEW WRIGHT'S COLUMN: SLOW DOWN BOYZ 
BOYZONE star Shane Lynch tells me that his high- speed crash in  the Mintex rally in South Wales at the weekend won't stop him from racing. The singer, who lost control of his car which flipped over and smashed into a ditch, says: ''I didn't even suffer cuts or bruises.It certainly hasn't put me off rallying."  

*              TOTP Website 
(thanx a lot to Larisa rpjklover@yahoo.com for the information) 
Ronan's Solo Debut  
Ronan Keating is making his live solo debut this weekend at the Fleadh festival in London's Finsury Park, and one of the songs he will be performing is a tribute to his mum. Marie Keating died of cancer last year and Ronan poured a lot of his feelings about his mum into the song, called This Is Your Song, as a way of dealing with her untimely demise. He even wrote the line "Even when you were low, you believed you could fly" as a reference to Marie's  favourite song by R Kelly! The Fleadh performance is bound to be an emotional one for our Ronan, as he's unused to performing without the backup of the Boyz. Nevertheless, with Marie watching over him and Jack and Yvonne by his side, the Keatster will no doubt romp home in fine style! 
Shane Boyzone Talks About Cars!  
 If you've ever wanted to talk to a top pop star about matters other than their fave colour or what bands they like, now's your chance. Shane Lynch, the Boyzone singer and elder brother to Keavey and Edele from B*Witched will be chatting live to our big brother website Top Gear about his passion for cars and oil and racing and stuff and how he can often be found hurtling around the racetrack at impossible speeds.Shane will be popping up at 5pm on Friday July 16th, but you can send in your questions (preferably relevant ones like "What's your fave motor oil?" or "Chamois leather or sponge?") now.