Walsh: 'Boyzone need time to grieve'

Louis Walsh has insisted that he will not put Boyzone under any pressure to return to work following the death of bandmate Stephen Gately.

The group's manager told the Evening Herald that Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch should be granted as much time as they need to mourn the loss of their friend and fellow singer.

Walsh explained: "They have lost a brother in Stephen and right now they are hurting. Coming back isn't something that one member of the group can decide on their own - it has to be a group decision.

"I think for now they just need time to be left on their own and to come to terms with the huge void that has been left by Stephen."

On whether the group's next album will go ahead, the X Factor judge continued: "I know they were working hard on the new album and that Stephen had recorded a few tracks for that. But it would take a lot of work to finish off, and if and when they do that it will be as a tribute for Stephen."

Walsh also played down rumours that the band may perform a tribute to Gately on The X Factor, insisting that no decisions have been made.