Oh Boy

AS the door to the somewhat stark dressing room opens, the effervescent Stephen Gately leaps up from his chair, hand outstretched. "How are you?," he says, blue eyes shining beneath his red baseball cap, handshake solid. "Can I get you a coffee? Would you like some water?"

He grabs a chair. "Take a seat," he proffers. The words come tumbling out in his soft, Irish brogue, the speed of his delivery, perhaps, an indication of nerves.

Stephen, 31, was always regarded as the 'sweet one' out of chart topping band Boyzone. At Sunderland's Empire Theatre to publicise his role in the stage musical Godspell, he is as warm and genuine as you would hope him to be - and politeness personified.

As he settles into a chair, he talks about playing the lead role of Jesus in Godspell, based around the stories of the Gospel according to St Matthew.

"The music is great," he says. "It's quite different from what I normally do. It's quite rocky and it is a challenge, but that's a good thing. Everything I do, I always try to make it a challenge."

This wasn't too hard during his recent stint on television screens in the ITV show, Dancing on Ice, when he was paired up with Canadian champion skater, Kristina Lenko. Stephen told one newspaper he was so nervous he was expecting to swallow a bottle of Rescue Remedy before going on. His confidence probably wasn't helped by Kristina saying she feared for her safety while dancing with him, amid reports that he would struggle doing the lifts the show demands.

"Dancing on Ice was a big challenge for me because I'd never ice skated before and going in front of 11 million viewers is literally one of the most nerve-wracking things I've ever done," he admits. "We had two months training and people spend two years trying to get up to that standard. I like being in my comfort zone, but it allowed me to break out of it which is a good thing."

But he will feel at home with Godspell, having played the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in London's West End and the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. And he is looking forward to exploring the places Godspell tours to, including Sunderland and Darlington.

"And finding great places to eat," he says, with a boyish smile.

At that, he apologises for "waffling on" and admits he's had three cups of coffee on the way here.

"I was reading the new Harry Potter. I'm a big fan," he says, adding that he's writing a children's book himself. He's had the idea for about eight years and is now about three quarters of the way through. But he's not revealing any plot lines.

"It needs a lot of work on it but I'm just getting the story down. I can't say what it's about, but it's very magical and the title is The Tree of Seasons."

Since being a part of the massive pop machine that was Boyzone - six number one singles, four number one albums - Stephen has taken on various roles. He's even filmed a part in a horror movie, Credo.

"I've always wanted to die in a horror movie," he laughs. "I get my throat slashed. I absolutely love horror."

Born and brought up a Catholic in the rough, tough area north of the Liffey in Dublin, Stephen wasn't necessarily destined for great things. But he clearly fostered a desire to perform and be famous - reportedly practising his autograph from the age of 13. He originally studied acting in Dublin and it's clear that he loves performing live.

He was only 17 when he joined Boyzone and was catapulted into worldwide fame. But while the band enjoyed hit after hit, he was struggling to balance the public's heterosexual perception of him with the knowledge that he was gay. He came out in June 1999, before a national newspaper broke the news. His brave move did not dent his popularity as he worried it might, and his fans backed him.

The band members went their separate ways in 2000 and Stephen's own solo effort with album New Beginnings did not achieve the chart-topping heights he'd wished for and he was dropped by his record company, Polydor, in 2001.

That said, it could be just the right time for a Boyzone reunion...

"Oh, I would love Boyzone to get together again, I really would," he says. "But it's about getting the five of us together at the same time. We're all doing different projects now and if we wanted to do it, it definitely wouldn't be this year because I don't finish Godspell until December. It's not because Ronan doesn't want to do it, he's just busy and touring on his own. We would also have to do it for the right reasons - maybe a charity single or something. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Stephen still keeps in touch with all his former bandmates and says they're all really good friends. He's due to be best man for Shane Lynch's wedding next month.

His personal life couldn't be better, either. He is happily married to Internet businessman Andy Cowles. The couple had a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas, followed last year by a civil partnership ceremony in England.

Asked whether the pair have any plans to become fathers, he replies thoughtfully: "I think a child is something you have to dedicate a lot of time to and the way my life is it wouldn't be fair to drag a child around. I don't think I could do that.

"But I've got lots of nieces and nephews. I would like to be a father, but I can't see it happening. It's great to see other people's kids and I love children, but I'm hoping to build my career."

For now, any paternal affection is lavished on his Shitsu dog, Bentley, who lives with the couple in London. After he's finished with Godspell in December he may take a break over Christmas before getting back to his book and building his career in musicals.

As the interview draws to a close a minute before time he says:

"Please stay if you like, I'm going to make another coffee...".

Peter Pan-like he may be with his boyish looks and genuine charm, but he has the manners of a gentleman.

Godspell will be at Darlington's Civic Theatre from October 15-20, contact 01325-486555, and at Sunderland's Empire Theatre from October 22-27. Contact 0870-602-1130.