Gately reveals "unbelievable" gig response

Rex Features

Boyzone star Stephen Gately has revealed that he was shocked by the success of the group's first comeback gig.

The group took to the stage for the first night of their reunion tour in Belfast last weekend. Tonight, they will perform the first of two gigs at the 02 Arena in London.

Gately told the Daily Mail: "The opening night in Belfast last week was phenomenal. I couldn't believe being up on that stage. I got quite emotional and teary-eyed. I was just so happy to be up there, to be doing this again. The fans and the reaction they gave us, how nice they were and how supportive, it was unbelievable."

Stephen's bandmate Ronan Keating has admitted that time apart has helped the group to work better as a unit.

"It's as if we have never been apart," he explained. "The egos have gone, we've grown up and everything is in perspective - we've got our own lives and our own families."

Keating claimed that Boyzone look "better" on stage than Take That earlier this week.