Stephen Gately is now officially the most eligable batchelor in pop, but as the little fella told Smash Hits...

"I'm Not Ready To Settle Down"

Are you worried about being left on the shelf after the recent batch of Boyzone weddings and engagements?

No, it's just that all the attention is on me now, 'cos I'm the only one left! I'm not ready to settle down yet and I don't feel under pressure, so it's fine. I'm not seeing anyone at the minute, but when the right person comes along, who knows? I am still only 22 though.

So, erm, what's all this about you going out with Mandy Smith ('80s teen celeb)?

Me and Mandy? Ah, that's nothing. Mandy's a friend and she's a really nice girl, but I've no idea where that story came from. I was as shocked as she was when I saw it. I saw her the other day at Party In The Park and we had a bit of a chat. She's cool about it.

So why have the others got married and engaged so quickly?

(Excitedly) I know, it's been very quick, hasn't it? First Shane, then Ronan, now Keith. I don't know, I guess they've just been lucky enough to find the right people, and anyway they've all been together for quite a long time. I'm very, very happy for them.

What was Keith's wedding like?

It was such a fantasic day. They both looked beautiful. It was great 'cos there was six of us there and we were all dressed from head to toe in Gucci. It was brilliant.

Did you know about Keith's wedding plans before his wife Lisa?

Yes. Me and Keith often sit down and have a chat about things. After we've been working he'll come to my room to watch a film, or I'll go to his and we'll talk about stuff.

Are you all still as close as you used to be?

Definitely. We've been together for five years now and obviously we've changed as people and matured in that time. Five years ago we used to wind each other up, but now we understand each other better. We know how to upset each other and you just don't do it - unless you want to upset the other person on purpose, of course!

Do you still get homesick or feel lonely?

I don't get homesick - I've learned to adapt. I do still sometimes feel lonely, though. It's hard when the others have all got their girlfriends and wives there. They're good though - they don't leave me out.

They let you join in, then?!

Not in that sense, hahaha! But, yeah, like the other night there was a knock at the door and it was Ronan and Yvonne. Ronan says 'C'mon, we're going,' and I was like, 'Going where?' He says, 'We're going to the pictures, c'mon,' and I was like, 'I can't come with just you two!' Then they practically wrapped me up and dragged me along with them. We saw City Of Angels and had a really great night.

Magazine Articles