Louis Walsh has claimed former Boyzone star Ronan Keating's pop career is "over", insisting the singer will "never have another hit".
The 74-year-old spoke freely on his former client during an appearance on Irish documentary series The Big Interview, where he accused the singer of believing his own publicity and dismissed him as a "karaoke artist".
Walsh's Claims About Keating's Career
Walsh formed Boyzone in 1993, helping to propel Keating, plus bandmates Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Stephen Gately, to fame. He later managed Keating's solo career before the pair parted ways in 2009 following creative and professional differences.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Walsh claimed Keating's attitude changed as his fame grew. He said: "Ronan started believing his own publicity then."
Recalling a conversation at the Four Seasons hotel, Walsh claimed Keating had told him: "I don't want to be a karaoke artist anymore." However, his former manager hit back: "But that's what he is!"
Criticism of Boyzone's Legacy
Walsh said: "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. [Keating] was great to work with at the start, but then he believed it. It's over - he's never going to be a pop star now. He's never going to have another hit. I'm happy."
The comments mark another chapter in the pair's long-running public disagreement, which dates back to their split in 2009. Walsh also criticised Boyzone's legacy, claiming the group were "puppets for Westlife" and taking credit for their success. He said: "I did all the work on Boyzone, everybody knows that. They were the puppets for Westlife, and I picked all the songs."
Comments on George Michael and Moving On
The music mogul went on to speak about Keating's admiration for late pop star George Michael, suggesting the singer had tried to emulate the Wham! frontman. "He wanted to be George Michael ... he was chasing around George Michael in London," Walsh said.
He then alleged that Michael had been friendly with Keating because he wanted to get to know Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately, who died aged 33 in 2009. "What he didn't know is that George Michael fancied Stephen, and George Michael was only being friendly with him to get to know Stephen. That's the real story," Walsh claimed.
Despite his latest criticism, Walsh insisted he had moved on from the fallout with Keating, describing their separation as a "bad divorce". "We had great times together, we had great fun, but it was a bad divorce, and it's fine - I'm over it," he said.
He also suggested Keating could pursue a range of other career opportunities, adding: "I'd say he's happy enough in his life, because he's always gonna be working. He'll either be a DJ, or he'll act, or he'll dance. He'll do anything."
The Big Interview with Louis Walsh airs tonight at 9pm on Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One.
