LATEST BOYZONE NEWS/RUMOURS  ON TOP

30th October 1999 *         article from oz tv hits (thanx a lot to emily jackers17@hotmail.com  for providing the information to all fans) The Truth Serum RK knows where it’s at! That’s why he told his minders he’d speak face to face only with TV Hits! So here he is, spilling his heart out…Thanks to a gulp of our magic truth serum! Are you a millionaire? I’m sure I am on paper, though I’m yet to see it! I have a nice house and a few nice cars. I’ve lived a great life so far! Do you have more money than you know how to spend? No…not at all! If I had more money, I’d spend it!  Were you surprised when Steven announced he was gay? Well, obv. We’d known for a few years! Did Steven call you before making his press statement? Yeah. He came to us saying, ‘A guy’s trying to out me – what do I do?”We all sat down and chatted about it. Whatever happened, he had our backing. Was it a relief that it was finally out in the open? For him more so! I’d say yeah, it’s a weight off my shoulders not worrying anymore. It was a very gutsy and difficult thing to do. Are bz splitting up?  No, not at all! We’re still very much together! We’ve got a X’mas tour coming up in the UK and Ireland, then we’re hopefully going to berecording our fourth studio album for release later next year. Have you ever come close to splitting? No, we’ve not come close! We’ve had arguments, but we’ve never, ever been in a situation where we broke up. There’s no reason to – we enjoy it.We’re like brothers! What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever argued about? Anything…who took the last of the milk, or the cornflakes! Are you and Westlife hooking up for a duet? Well, there’s talk of it, for their 2nd album, but I don’t know. True! Is a bz movie on its way? It’s coming – we’ve nearly finished the script! We’d like to have it out by  the middle or end of next year. It’s a true story of how we began.There are five other guys playing us, we’re not playing ourselves. What about a bz exercise video?!  No, we’re the most unfit bunch of eejits you’ve ever met! Have you ever had to change your son Jack’s nappies just before you go on  stage? No! I can’t bring him to any of the shows because the music’s too loud  for him! But just before I’ve left for a show, I’ve had to change his nappies! Are you scared your solo career may not be as successful as bz’s? Bz have had 15 hit singles and four No. 1 albums. I’d be upset if I wasn’t as successful as bz, to be honest. Do you burn or tan when you sunbathe? Ohhh, I burn, like terrible! I am a mess, it’s a mess! I don’t think I’ve ever had a colour in my life! I’ll go healthy red and then go white again…then I go blue! (laughs) So what do you do at the beach? I don’t go to the beach – I hate the beach  Have you ever forgotten something important before you’ve gone on stage? My microphone, swear to God! I’ve done that a few times! Then I’ve to run to the side of stage, and someone’s waiting for me with it, going “you #$%&ing  eejit!” (laughs) Have you ever sung at a karaoke bar? Oh, yeah! When I’m drunk I do anything  When do you like to say nothing at all? When Jack was born, no words could express what we felt, it was incredible!  Silence is golden when I want to sleep and when I’m listening to music. I like to be very quiet! *          Steve article in BZ magazine (thanx a lot to  Pat BZ pat_bz@hotmail.com  for providing the information to all fans) TOP OF THE HOPS! You're going to have to wait until January for the release of Stephen's single Bright Eyes - but the brand new animated series is on your TV screens now! Stephen tells you more… What do you remember of the original film? I remember my Mum and Dad making me watching it at Christmas time. It's such a fantastic story - it always made me cry! I have it at home on video now, but I haven't watched it for ages. I guess I should do soon! What did you think about the plans to re-make the movie? I was really excited when I first heard it was going to be coming out again. It's about time it was made available to a new generation - so the kids who didn't see it first time around will be able to find out what a brilliant story it is. But I think the older generation - people like me who did see the original - will enjoy it too! You must have been really excited to be involved… Yeah, I love animation, and of course I love singing, too. Anything I could possibly do to get involved, I wanted to give it a bash. What's your character, Blackavar, like? He's quite a chirpy rabbit. He's not very quiet, but he's a nice guy, he's got a good soul. He's got a friend called Primrose - the rabbit that Dawn French has done the voice for - they're good buddies. They meet up when Blackavar escapes from Effffrr… I can never say it!… when he escapes from Efrafa! And he does look a bit like you… Yeah, he's got my hair! I always said it shouldn't be too hard to make me look like a rabbit! The other boys think it's very funny that I've been made into a cartoon - but I think it's brilliant. I collect production cells from animation - I've got loads of Disney ones at home- and the people from Watership Down have promised to send me some with Blackavar in, which I'm really looking forward to. So you've managed to achieve your acting ambition at last… I really loved doing the voice, it was great experience. I always wanted to record a cartoon character's voice. And Blackavar is really a nice character - really cute and smiley. I've always loved acting, as everyone knows, and it was good to get back into it. I'm hoping to do some more in the future - maybe musicals, movies. A few people have sent me scripts - some funny roles, some serious, which I'm looking at. I could never give up singing, but acting is something I'd love to do. The original of Bright Eyes was sung by Art Garfunkel (one half of 70's singing duo Simon and Garfunkel), what was that like? It was very difficult following in his footsteps. He's a real music legend so there was a bit of pressure in re-recording the song, he's a very hard act to follow. I don't know what people are going to think, but hopefully I've done it justice! There are some brilliant people involved in the series… The most incredible cast I've ever seen - Dawn French, Ric Mayall, Jane Horrocks, John Hurt, Keifer Sutherland - so many talented people giving their voices. It's just such a big, massive priviledge for me to be involved, to be working with them, they're all highly renowned and so well known. I'm really proud! MEET BLACKAVAR! The bunny rabbit designed with Stephen in mind, for whom Stephen has also recorded the voice, is a rebel bunny who has escaped from Efrafa, a rabbit warren run by the ruthless General Woundwort (John Hurt), a dictatorial leader who rules by force and who wants to destroy the new colony of Watership Down. Blackavar is a brave bunny, who attempts to run away from Efrara, unhappy with his life there. His escape attempt fails, and he is punished - but Bigwig, a tough military rabbit, witness his his appalling treatment and vows to free him. Although weak and in pain, Blackavar becomes a trusty and valuable member of the group, making friends with Buttercup (Dawn French), a well spoken bunny who lives in the grounds of a large mansion.

24th October 1999 *          article from Ia Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat (thanx a lot to  Pamela Harju pamela.harju@multi.fi for providing the information to all fans) ONLY OPRAH CAN BEAT RONAN! Ronan Keating is the no. 1 name of the upcoming millennium. Only the American talkshow host Oprah Winfrey succeeds as well as Ronan. This result was got when an international marketing company collected reckoning around the world to find out who is most likely to hold his own as an international top name. Ronan is knows as a singer but also of many other things. His points for fame and chances to succeed are growing also by performances as TV presenter at big events such as Eurovision, activity in charity and a respected position in Ireland, where people don't even make fun of Ronan's plans to become the president of Ireland in the future.  But it's not time of politics yet: Ronan's got a solo album coming out,but before that the charmer still has a lot to do.Ronan will host the MTV Europe Music Awards in Dublin 11th November and a week later he'll light the famous Christmas lights on Oxford Street,London. *        Boywatch from  Boyzone magazine (thanx a lot to  Hazel Nicholson hazelnicholson@hotmail.com for providing the information to all fans) Welcome return! After doing such a cracking job at the ceremony back in 1997, Ro will be back to host the Europe Music Awards again this year when his hometown of Dublin will be staging the top music event! "What can I say?", beamed Ro, "It's an absolute honour to be asked to do this again, especially since nobody's presented the show twice before.  It'll be great taking it home - we'll have a wild night!"  And, to make the night even wilder, great news is that Boyzone have been nominated in three award categories - Best Album (for By Request), Best Pop and Best UK & Ireland Act. Sun-Shine! After his big story was unveiled with the help of the Sun newspaper back in June, Stephen was more than happy to meet up with the newspapers showbiz reporter for a second time at the launch for Watership Down last month, for an update on how things have been going since the story appeared.  "Life just couldn't be better for me," he revealed to the paper, "All the pressures have gone, it's a wonderful feeling.  Some days I feel a bit down but I cheer myself up by reading a few of the letters I received.  It's been absolutely overwhelming and I know I've done the right thing."  He also took the opportunity to respond to the rumours that BZ are about to split... "Just because we're doing solo projects doesn't mean it's the end of the road for us" - so now you know! National Costume! Ro, Yvonne and BZ stylist Alex showed their support for top Irish fashion designer John Rocha last month, during UK fashion week.  Mr Rocha showed his new season's collection off at top new club home, and the BZ brigade had front row, to review the collection exclusively for a top daily newspaper... Top Dog! Last month we proudly announced the introduction of Shih-Tzu Joey into the Stephen Gately household - and this month we're just as proud to reveal what the lickle dog looks like!  Stephen presented us with this exclusive pic of Joey and he's pleased to report that the pup is settling in just fine.  Except that he keeps climbing up the stairs - but is always too scared to climb down them again, so ends up stuck! "It's very sweet," said Stephen, "but we've had to stop him going upstairs untill he's learned how to get down again!"  Bless... Grand Finale! Stephen did BZ proud when he performed his new tune Bright Eyes, at the Disney Channel Kids Awards Final Show in front of a jam-packed audience...Steo appeared on the stage alongside the likes of Steps, B*Witched, Emma Spice and S Club 7 - and while on the scene, very proudly picked up Boyzone's award for Best Male Group on behalf of the BZ boys! Evans Above! Congratulations to Stephen Gately who made his very first solo UK TV appearance last month, coming face to face with Chris Evans on his Friday Night music and chat show TFI...Steo was a bit nervous but came through with flying colours nevertheless, proudly annoucing to Mr Evans that he's the best looking member of Boyzone* - before performing a spot on acoustic rendition of his forthcoming single Bright Eyes.  P.S!  Get set cos Stephen's forthcoming solo single Bright Eyes will be hitting the shops in the new millenium!  Due to the brand new Boyzone single being released v. soon, Bright Eyes will now be at a record store near you as of January! Pride of place! A set of Boyzone dolls has just made a trip across the Atlantic to take pride of place as part of a brand new pop music of the '90s museum exhibit, over in the states.  The BZ dolls will be on show alongside other exclusive items donated by the likes of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.  So if you find yourself over there on your holidys, get yourself along! BZ are back! Watch out for a brand new BZ single release due to hit record stores in November!  The tune was written just last month, and as we go to press the Boyz are back to shoot its video.  More news  next month! Five Live! Following the fantastic demand for tickets to see BZ's Dublin shows in January 2000 which we announced last month, extra dates have been added - which means the Boyz will now be playing the grand total of five nights at Dublin's  Point Depot!  If you still haven't nabbed your tickets, these are the dates you'll need...Boyzone will now be playing at the Point Depot in Dublin on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th of January 2000.  For further details, call 1890888 888 (from Ireland) or 0870 243 4455 (from the UK) Watch out - Duster's about! Keith has just finished recording the pilot for a potential new TV show for Channel Four.  The show is a candid camera type program, which involves Duster playing a lot of tricks on unsuspecting members of the public. "The show is all about catching people's reactions on camera," Keith told us, "and basically it's all about having a bit of a laugh - which for me is not much like hard work at all!"  As soon as we have more news on the show we'll let you know! Website update! This month, the only official BZ website there is will feature exclusive shots from behind the scenes at BZ's forthcoming new video shoot

17th October 1999 *         Article in a magazine in Holland (thanx a lot to  Jolanda jpselte@worldonline.nl for providing the information to all fans) Ronan Keating. He's 22,but he behave like the youngest aged of this earth.Ronan keating goes right away to his family after his work.Ronan keating goes out only with his wife and he only talk to her.But actual Ronan Keating never goes out again.That only gives problems. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GO OUT? To be honest,I'm not going to a club anymore,I never go dance anymore.I won't do those things anymore. WHY NOT? I don't have the time.And if you go sometime,it only give problems. PROBLEMS? At the end of the evening,there's always been a fight and that makes no sence. THAT'S NOT NECCESARY? It just makes no sence. DO YOU COME OUTSIDE THAN? I like to go to a movie or for something to eat.And if I like to have a nice evening,I'll go to the pub.I am a real Irish-man.We all do that over here,it's a part of our social life. ARE YOU DRINKING BEER THAN? You can give me Jack Daniels.I am a real whisky drinker. DO YOU GET DRUNK? Sometimes.I can't come home plastered. WHAT KIND OF WOMEN ATTRACT YOU? My wife. AND WHO ELSE? The only one I like is my wife.She's very special. BUT ARE YOU LOOKING AT OTHER WOMEN? I do,but I'm only dreaming of my wife.She's the only one for me. OFCOURSE.BUT WHAT KIND OF WOMEN ARE YOU LOOKING AT? I like women who are neat.Not the vain ones but just the ones who take care of themselfs.If you'll see how some look like... DO YOU EVER HAVE A CHAT WITH THAT KIND OF A LADY? Why?I'm never going out without my wife.So I'm only talking to her. ARE YOU NEVER GO GET A FIZZ WITHOUT YOUR WIFE? No.After a day of hard working,I'm going home to my wife. OH. Maybe I'm a little bored but that's just the way I live. DO YOU STILL SEE THE OTHERS GUYS OF BOYZONE? Sometimes.We are preparing a christmas tour from a month of a half and than we'll catch up.It's not that we'd arrange something every week or so.We have our own lifes,our own families,our own things. DO YOU MISS THEM? Yeah,I miss them a lot.Especially when I have a performance.Than I look over my shoulder to see where the others are and than the stage is all empty! I will get used to it.And I'll perform with a live band,that makes a difference.It'll look better on stage. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO? I would like to crash against the wall with a car. HUH? Yeah, just drive the car total loss. DO YOU LIKE TO RACE? Yeah,I did it before with Shane.But now I don't have the time anymore. TO LET OFF STEAM,WHAT DO YOU DO? Playing golf.I think that's lovely.Ofcourse in Ireland you've got the best of all golf-course in the whole world! DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR 31 DECEMBER? Ofcourse I have.I'm just at home. AHA,YOU ARE GONNA GIVE  BIG PARTY? Nah...I hate New Year's Eve! Its awful,to get depressive. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Well at a new year's Eve party everybody's getting drunk.I will be at home with my family.Just restful and modest. *         Article From The Sun  (thanx a lot to  Sarah Liptrott anamcara@currantbun.com for providing the information to all fans) BONO IN RONAN MOVIE BONO had landed his first film role - as Boyzone boss louis Walsh. The U2 singer will put his music on hold for around two months next year while filming.It first revealed Ronan Keating and the boys planned to make a movie in March 1998. But it was put on hold due to their hectic scheldules and script problems. It was Ronan who persuaded Bono to play their manager. He told me: "Bono is perfect for the role. We're all very excited about the whole thing but to get Bono is a dream come true." Ronan and Co will be playing themselves but they needed someone to play Louis. Ronan adds: "Louis is a bit camera shy so we had to come up with a replacement for him. We wanted someone Irish to keep the film as true to life as possible." It will be Bono's first major film role. He had a cameo part along with the rest of U2 in the movie Entrpy. Bono and Boyzone have been pals since U2 asked the band to appear in the video for their single Sweetest Thing.

2nd October 1999 *           Boywatch  (thanx a lot to   Lucy Witts lucy.witts@diamond.co.uk for providing the information to all fans) TOP CHOICE! Stephen will be performing for a lucky audience at the Disney Channel Kids' Awards Show at London Arena on September 18th. The show will be hosted by Toby Anstis and Faye Steps, and Steo will be appearing at the show alongside B*Witched, Steps, A1 and S Club 7, as well as many pther surprise stars on the day - but if you can't be there, don't worry cos the 90 minute show will be televised exclusively on Disney Channel the next day! Boyzone are nominated for awards in the Best Male Group and Band of the Year categories, and we'll be revealing whether they manage to scoop any of those awards right here next month! MIKEY UPDATE... When we last spoke to Mikey Graham, he was still up to his eyes in his solo album - which he's been busy writing in between DIY duties. In fact, just as we called, he was just about to take a break from the studio to mow his lawn. "I'm still busy with getting my album written," he told us as he headed for the garden, "but taking an opportunity to enjoy the domestic life at the same time!" WATCH OUT! For those of you who have contacted us to find out if the Live By Request concert of last summer will be released on video - the very good news is that the show at Dublin's RDS was filmed for release sometime in November. You'll have more details as we get them, we promise! TOP MARKS!  Even if you haven't seen them all in a while, Boyzone have still been busy causing a commotion in pop charts all over the world... First of all there's Ronan, with When You Say Nothing At All. Now that his debut solo single hsa taken pride of place at the top of the UK charts, he's been at the No.1 spot twice this year so far as part of Boyzone, once as a solo artist - and twice as manager of Westlife! This means that together with the six other number one singles that have been notched up by Boyzone, this fantastic tally of number ones in the nineties places him behind only Take That and the Spice Girls... Meanwhile, WYSNAA debuted at No.14 in Australia - while Westlife's Swear it Again debuted at No.18 in the same week! But just in case that wasn't quite impressive enough, BZ's greatest hits album By Request has now reached four-times platinum status (thats sales of over 1.2 million records), and has pride of place at the top of the best selling albums chart of the year so far! And last - but definitely not least - over in the States, No Matter What is bubbling over only just outside the US Hot 100 chart... worth a round of applause at least we reckon! ONE OF THESE DAYS! Released in Ireland on the 10th September, the much anticipated Ronan and Brian Kennedy single These Days is most definitely set to storm up the Irish charts... The collaboration of the two huge Irish stars came about when Brian asked Ro to join him in writing a tune last year - and the pair made their debut performance with it at Dublin's Childline concert last January. "The thing about Ronan that makes us connect so well," Brian told us, "is that we are both passionate about music -it's as simple as that." The track will also appear on Brian's new album, Now That I Know What I Want, due for release in Ireland in October. If you're a lucky resident of Ireland, then look out for Ro and Brian making an exclusive TV appearance together sometime during September... WELCOME JOEY! Stephen is delighted with his new canine friend Joey - a brand new addition to the Gately household. Joey is a black and white Shih-Tzu and Steo is chuffed to bits with him... "I've wanted to have a dog for ages,my sister Michelle has a beautiful Dalmatian called Seorise who I'm really fond of and Joey's lovely, we're really pleased with him - even if he is keeping us very busy at the moment!" 20TH CENTURY BOYZ! The dates you've been waiting for have just been announced - Boyzone will be playing live back home in Ireland at the start of the new millenium, and these are the dates you need to know... BZ will be at Dublin's Point Depot Monday 3rd January and Tuesday 4th January 2000 and tickets are on sale now! But don't fret if you've missed the rush - if any further Irish dates are confirmed we'll let you know ASAP!YEE-HAH! Before flying off Down Under, Ro was busy over in Nashville, the US capital of country music, where he has been writing material for his forthcoming solo album, due for release next year. "It's a really chilled out place, a great place to write - everything went really well, and I'm very pleased. I've wanted to go there for a long while - but I was so busy writing while I was there, I'll need to take another trip over there to fit aome more sightseeing in. Yvonne could show me round -she's an expert on the place now!" He must have felt right at home amongst all those cowboy hats! BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS! Stephen will be performing at a special Watership Down launch party in September to celebrate the start of the new animated series on ITV at the end of the month. It's just been announced that Kiefer Sutherland has joined the celebrity cast alongside Stephen, comic actor Rik Mayall, Little Voice and Absolutely Fabulous star Jane Horrocks, Dawn French and TV comedian Phill Jupitus! LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU! Keith was lucky enough to be invited to join his good mate Robbie Williams backstage at Rob's recent outdoor concert at Dublin's Slane Castle. "I jumped at the chance", Duster told us, "Rob's a good friend of mine, and I've really enjoyed the TV presenting I've done so dar. We had a great laugh!" Keith was interviewing backstage for a forthcoming 2TV Bank Holiday special - which will be screened in Ireland on Network 2, Monday 25th October at 11.30am. Keith also interviewed band members of the Stereophonics while he was there, but his interview with Robbie was a huge scoop for the show - and he had a great time filming it..."Robbie was about to perform for a crowd of 80,000 people and he was feeling really nervous - the atmosphere was electric and I was nervous for him! But it was good to see him again - and to check out his car! The show was absolutely fantastic and everyone had a great time - so of course we went out and partied afterwards!" *           Keating's Video Rapped By TV Watchdog - article (thanx a lot to   Brian Berry bgberry@clara.net for providing the information to all fans) This is an article on Ceefax: A pop video for Boyzone star Ronan Keating's first solo single has been criticised for blatantly plugging the movie Notting Hill in which it features. The comments from the Independent TV Commission followed bubble captions on the video for WYSNAA urging people to go and see the hit film. The ITC wants to clamp down on such "active" advertising, but have decided to take no action this time because the song has passed it's peak.