Boyzone 'feel ready to tour again'

Boyzone have revealed that they are almost ready to tour again.

The group, who performed for the first time without their late bandmate Stephen Gately this week, explained that sales of their album Brother have inspired them to get back on the road.

The record has already topped the Irish album charts and is locked in a fight with Gorillaz for the UK top spot.

"This week will inspire us to announce a tour at the end of the year," Keith Duffy told the Daily Star. "It's amazing that after all of these years we can battle Damon Albarn in the charts.

"We're still taking chicken steps and it would be our biggest challenge. But having found out Brother is currently at number one, it's a dream come true. It proves how loyal our fanbase are, and there is a future for Boyzone."

Meanwhile, Mikey Graham explained that the group are hoping to record new material later this year.

"We've decided we're going to start work on another album in the summer," he explained. "But it would be fitting if we could get our latest album to number one for Stephen's birthday next Wednesday on St Patrick's Day."