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Gately gave nicknames to Boyzone bandmates

Saturday, 17 October 2009

Grief-stricken Boyzone members today gave an intimate portrayal of their beloved bandmate Stephen Gately and the close bond between them.

In an emotional and deeply poignant eulogy Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy paid tribute on behalf of the band to Gately, describing him as a joker with a quirky sense of humour.

"He loved it when we were all together laughing and joking," Keating said.

"He provided us with so many funny lines throughout the Boyzone days, some you may have heard and some in this house I cannot repeat."

A deeply upset Keating fondly remembered how he gave women's nicknames to each of the band, christening himself Stephanie.

"He had nicknames for all of us. Keith was Kitty, Shane was Shanice, Mikey was Mikeala and I was Rosaleen.

"Of course, he was Stephanie."

He joked Boyzone was the 'campest straight band' doing the rounds, unsettling Gately who revealed he was gay in 1999.

Keating also claimed Gately could barely control his excitement at the prospect of the new album, ringing him the day before his death marvelling at the new songs.

Fellow bandmate Duffy said Gately always showed promise as a performer, but found his place with Boyzone.

"Stephen loved being in Boyzone," he said.

"He found an outlet for his passion and four friends and brothers who understood who he truly was.

"The five of us created our own little bubble of humour and security and we were always there for each other, through thick and thin."

Graham said Gately brought colour to the band.

"Behind the curtain Stephen was deeply private and guarded but we were lucky enough to see through that and get a glimpse of the warm, honest, gentle loving man he was," he said.

As the coffin was placed in the waiting hearse, band members stood arm-in-arm comforting each other.