TIDE OF LOVE FOR STEPHEN |
---|
Boyzone star Stephen Gately was
thrilled last night after fans backed his >brave decision to admit he
is gay. A spokesman said: "It means everything to him." Messages
of support poured in for Stephen, 23, who revealed his love for a singer
in a Dutch boy band in yesterday's Sun. Not one email or fax said he was
wrong. Fellow stars hailed his courage too.
WE ALL LOVE YOU STEPHEN
He's thrilled by huge wave of support Fans and celebrities last night joined in a chorus of support for Boyzone star Stephen Gately after he confessed: " I'm gay."
E-mails and faxes flooded into our offices backing the 23-year-old's brave decision to " come out " in a moving declaration in yesterday's Sun. It was the biggest response The Sun has ever had to a showbiz interview - and not one of the messages criticised him.
The star's spokesperson Caroline McAteer said: " Stephen is thrilled with the reaction to today's interview. It means everything to him. " It's important the fans know Stephen was not forced to come out - he decided on his own that it was the right thing to do. Now he hopes he can concentrate on his career without any speculation."
Each message will be forwarded to Dubliner Stephen and boyfriend, Dutch singer Eloy de Jong, 26. Fans feelings were summed up by Sharon, Tina and Nikki whose email echoed the words of a Boyzone hit. They vowed: We will continue to love you "no matter what." Stephen can rely on the support of showbiz stars too.
Posh Spice Victoria Adams said: " You are what you are. " He is very talented and this should not come in the way. Everyone should support him."
All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis said: " He's very courageous and I wish him all the best. I'm very proud of him."
Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys said: " Good on him!"
Radio One DJ Zoe Ball said: " It's a really tough thing for him to do and I just want to say well done." I think all the little girls will cope - they probably secretly knew they weren't going to marry him."
Ritchie Neville from fellow boy band Five said: " Good on you Steve! Your fans will be cool - it's the music that's important."
U.S. band Backstreet Boys rang just before kicking off the UK leg of their tour to say: " He is still the star we all know and love."
Stephen told The Sun how he met Eloy four years ago at a showbiz bash in London. They only began their relationship last November. Until then Eloy was part of a boy band called Caught In The Act who topped the charts in Europe and the Far East. They have since split to follow solo careers. Stephen said his momentous decision came as he learned someone was planning to sell a twisted version of his story. His move was immediately backed by band members Ronan Keating, 22, Shane Lynch, also 22, Keith Duffy, 24, and Mikey Graham, 26. And yesterday their mums added their voices too.
Mikey's mother Sheila Graham said: " He wasn't the first and he won't be the last."
Shane's mum Noleen added: " At the end of the day, it's God's will the way >they all are, you know."
Stephen is one of many pop stars to admit being gay or bisexual. Others include Sir Elton John. George Michael, late Queen singer Freddie Mercury and lesbian U.S. country singer kd lang. One of the most flamboyant, Boy George, spoke out for Stephen on Capital radio's breakfast show.
George, 37 said: " It's best to tell people. If you live a lie, you always worry about somebody doing something horrible." He said many fans were gay too and went on: " You go to any concert, Take That, any of them - it's always loads of queens, loads of kids and loads of mum's." He predicted Boyzone's fans would NOT turn against Stephen and joked: " Most of them are too young to know what sex is anyway."
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