Jan 6
Ronan Keating Reflects on Lasting Pain of Stephen Gately's Tabloid Outing Amid Boyzone Reunion Plans
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Ronan Keating, the 48-year-old Irish singer and former Boyzone frontman, recently opened up about the deep emotional scars left by the tabloid outing of his late bandmate Stephen Gately. In an interview with Magic Radio earlier in 2025, Keating described the "anxiety" and "hurt" that gripped the band when The Sun newspaper splashed Gately's coming out story across its front page in 1999. At just 23 years old, Gately had preemptively told his parents about his sexuality after learning a former crew member threatened to sell the story to the press, but the public revelation still blindsided the group.
Keating vividly remembers the moment: "When that newspaper came out, I remember seeing that when it was printed on the day and the anxiety, the energy that was in the room the five of us." The band had rushed back to Dublin so Gately could inform his family first, only to wake up to the headlines the next morning. Fears that fans would abandon Boyzone proved unfounded, as supporters rallied around Gately, but the invasion of his privacy left lasting damage.
This incident exemplifies the aggressive tabloid practices of the late 1990s, when outing LGBTQ+ celebrities was a common tactic to boost sales. Gately's case followed closely after George Michael's similar experience in 1998, highlighting a pattern of media hounding that forced many LGBTQ+ individuals into the spotlight against their will. Bandmate Keith Duffy later called the press intrusion "absolutely scandalous" and "damaging" in the Sky documentary "Boyzone: No Matter What".
In contrast, Boyzone's former manager Louis Walsh reacted with glee upon seeing the front-page story, a response Keating found jarring when revisiting it in the documentary. The three-part Sky series, featuring interviews with surviving members Keating, Duffy, Shane Lynch, and Michael Graham, as well as Walsh, delves into these conflicts and the band's highs and lows. It also addresses Gately's tragic death in 2009 at age 33 from pulmonary oedema, an undiagnosed heart condition that caused fluid buildup in his lungs while vacationing in Mallorca, Spain.
Keating's reflections coincide with renewed Boyzone activity. On December 31, 2025, he hosted "Ronan and Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party" on BBC One, reuniting with Duffy and Lynch, alongside LGBTQ+ ally Louise Redknapp and openly gay singer Calum Scott, who performed Gately's vocals on the band's 1998 UK No. 1 hit "No Matter What." The concert aired in two parts at 23:30 GMT and 00:15 on January 1, 2026, offering fans nostalgic performances to welcome the new year.
Looking ahead, Boyzone—excluding retired member Michael Graham—plans "One For The Road: Live At Emirates Stadium" on June 5 and 6, 2026, celebrating their legacy of over 6.4 million UK record sales. The band's 2010 album "Brother" was dedicated to Gately, and their public statements at the time expressed devastation, noting his spirit lit up lives worldwide.
Keating's account underscores ongoing discussions about media ethics and the progress made for LGBTQ+ visibility since 1999. While tabloid outings have largely ceased in mainstream outlets, the documentary revives conversations on privacy rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in the public eye. Survivors like Keating and Duffy emphasize Gately's authenticity and the unwavering fan support that followed, offering a message of resilience. These reflections, tied to current reunions, highlight how Boyzone's story continues to affirm LGBTQ+ experiences in pop culture, fostering inclusive spaces for artists today.
