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Boyzone to sing at Stephen Gately funeral

By Lucy Hutchings on Friday 16 October 2009

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Stephen Gately and Ronan Keating

Today, Ronan Keating spoke publicly for the first time since Stephen Gately's death, as he prepared to accompany his bandmate's body home ahead of Saturday's funeral.

Keating and fellow Boyzone members, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy flew out to Majorca today to accompany Gately's body back to Ireland, and are expected to keep an overnight vigil at the Dublin church where the service will take place tomorrow.

Reading from a statement, Keating faced the press and thanked fans for their support. He stated: 'Last Saturday our world changed forever when we lost our friend and brother Stephen.

'What the future holds for the four of us is too hard to think about. We know that nothing will ever be the same without our dear friend Stephen. Farewell brother.'

He also revealed a new tattoo tribute, an inscription reading '76-09' on his bicep - Gately's years of birth and death.

The four grieving Boyzone members will play an integral role in tomorrow's ceremony, carrying the casket alongside Stephen's family members, and singing during the service.

The congregation is expected to include many mourners from the entertainment industry, including Louis Walsh, Sir Elton John and members of Take That.

STEPHEN GATELY RETROSPECTIVE

Friday 16 October 2009

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R;I;P STEPHEN GOING TO MISS YOU WE NEVER 4 GET U LOVE CATHY LILA FROM MILLISLE XXXXXX..
Comment by cathy on October 16 18:27

i would just like to pass on my heartfelt sympathys to stevens family as someone who lost my own son at a very young age my thoughts and prayers r with you all god bless
Comment by jackie maguire on October 16 18:31

I'm truly sorry,what a huge loss. I love Boyzone, always have. My heartfelt condolences to his parents, family, and all those who knew and loved him. May God grant you peace during these difficult and hard to understand times.
Comment by Pauline on October 16 18:45

I give my condolence to family and band group of Stephen Gately, Also to Andy Cowles. with deep sorrow, RIP stephen.your fan from Kenya
Comment by Vivian Kleiber on October 17 06:37

r.i.p. stephen you will be sadly missed xx
Comment by annette fraser on October 17 10:52

its sad yes, but why go on about it?
Comment by Trisha on October 17 15:44

i am so sorry that you have lost a special psrt of your band he is missed a lot
Comment by SARAH on October 17 17:29

stephen you have just moved on to a better place and took all our love with you c ya xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Comment by blue marie on October 17 17:34

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