Louis Walsh has reignited his feud with Ronan Keating, declaring: 'His career is dead'. The former X Factor judge was Ronan's manager while he was in Boyzone, and credits himself with much of the pop band's success.
Ronan, 49, has previously claimed that once he cut ties with Louis, 74, he became vindictive and 'tried to ruin his career'. The Popstars judge has now taken more digs at his former pop protégé, claiming his popularity is declining and he'll never have another hit single again.
Walsh claims credit for Boyzone's success
Speaking on the latest episode of The Big Interview, Louis said: 'I did all the work on Boyzone, everybody knows that. They were the puppets for Westlife, and I picked all the songs.'
Louis went as far as comparing Ronan, who has sold over 20 million records worldwide, to a karaoke singer. Ronan, along with the late Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham, ended up having six number one singles and four number one albums in the UK, making them the second most successful British boyband behind Take That.
Solo career and fallout
After Ronan took a break from the band to go solo in 1999, Louis continued to be his manager as the performer released hits like When You Say Nothing At All and Life is a Rollercoaster.
'Ronan started believing his own publicity then,' Louis said. 'He said to me one day in the Four Seasons, "I don't want to be a karaoke artist anymore." But that's what he is! I was picking all the songs – he hasn't had a hit since. He hasn't! He's singing all the old songs now, he doesn't have a record deal. He was great to work with at the start, but then he believed it.'
Despite Ronan returning to Boyzone, with the band operating as a four-piece and embarking on a huge stadium tour this year, Louis reckons his pop star status is 'over'.
Ronan's response
Last year, Ronan discussed his feud with Louis, blasting him for 'not giving a f**k' about his music career while he pursued TV opportunities. On Sky documentary Boyzone: No Matter What, he explained: 'Louis became a TV personality – he was given that chance because he was the manager of Boyzone and that took a lot of his time.'
Ronan continued: 'Things started falling into place and you realise, Louis is not a great manager. I gave him multiple opportunities to fix things. I have one shot at my career and he didn't give a f**k, it fell on deaf ears.'
Ronan also hit out at Louis for making 'the wrong choices' for him as a solo artist. Metro has contacted representatives for Ronan Keating for comment.
