Ronan Keating has admitted that the grief of losing Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately, 17 years after his tragic death, still affects him on a daily basis. Gately died unexpectedly in October 2009 at age 33 from an undiagnosed heart condition while asleep at his holiday home in Majorca.
When Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, and Shane Lynch played two emotional reunion concerts at London's Emirates Stadium this month, their One for the Road gigs were missing one key member — Gately. Keating, who calls the late singer his 'brother', told the Mirror: "I still miss him every single day — and especially when I'm on stage with the other boys. He was taken far too soon. He had so much more to give."
Keating Reflects on Gately's Legacy and Coming Out
Gately was the only gay man in the band, and Keating described his public coming out in 1999 as "the bravest thing [he's] ever seen anyone do." The two were famously close, and Gately's absence was keenly felt during the reunion shows, which included many moving tributes to him.
Fatherhood, Grandfatherhood, and a Milestone Birthday
For Keating, now 49, one song resonates more than ever: Boyzone's 1995 cover of Cat Stevens' Father & Son. "I sang that song at the Boyzone auditions, way back when. It's the song that sticks with me, and has meant so much over the years… Especially as I became a father, and now a grandfather," he said.
Keating is a father of five — three children with ex-wife Yvonne, and two with current wife Storm — and became a grandfather in 2023 when his eldest son Jack welcomed daughter Maya. Keating revealed he prefers the title 'Pops' over 'grandad'.
Despite turning 50 next year, Keating is unfazed. "I'm quite relaxed about it, really. It's just a number," he said. "There are days where I still feel that teenage kid who first started out at those Boyzone auditions. I'm certainly looking forward to celebrating when next March comes around!"
New Music and Upcoming Performance
Keating is not resting on his laurels. He is currently in the studio writing and recording a new solo album. Next up is a Saturday night headline spot at Deva Fest in Cheshire in August 2026, where he will perform solo hits and Boyzone favourites. "It's always a pleasure to perform outdoors in the UK," he said. "Let's hope for some good weather. It's great to see new, younger faces when you look out at the crowd, too. We're going to have a blast!"
Phil Marston, founder of Deva Fest, said: "This is without doubt our strongest line-up to date. We've worked hard to create an experience where families and friends can enjoy world-class music alongside unique entertainment." Deva Fest takes place 6–9 August 2026 at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Cheshire.
