Boyzone in Oz nightclub brawl

Boyzone allegedly fought with members of Rihanna's band following a six-hour drinking session in Australia.

The brawl started after one of the Irish singers approached a girl from Rihanna's band in a Sydney club, says The Mirror.

Stephen Gately apparently admitted it had been "more than a difference of opinion".

"It was over a girlfriend of one of Rihanna's band members. We just wanted to chat and be friendly and this guy tries to rough us up," he said.

Gately explained that he and his bandmates Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy had been out with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden, who lives in Sydney.

A source said: "The boys held their own despite being unsteady on their feet. Security came to break it all up. They got a stern talking to."

The reformed act recently apologised for their drunken behaviour at the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards, where Shane Lynch started a fight with Sean 'P Diddy' Combs after drinking to calm his nerves.

> Click here for our recent interview with Stephen Gately