JUST CHILLIN'

WONDERING WHERE STEPHEN GATELY'S BEEN? WELL HE'S BACK- WITH A POPTASTIC NEW SINGLE, SOME FUNKY DANCE ROUTINES AND A PET CYBER DOG! READ ON. . .

How are you Stephen? We haven't seen you for ages! What have you been up to?

I'm very well thank you! I've just been taking things easy, chilling out and looking after myself. I'm really getting in to meditation at the moment and I've been on a very good diet, eating three healthy meals a day and drinking all these herbal nutrition drinks that balance you out. They're so tasty!

Is it nice to be able to wake up in the mornings and not worry about rushing around?

Oh definitely! I went away for 10 days in January- Eloy and I had a fantastic trip to Mauritius. It was absolutely beautiful. We had an amazing hotel, ate lovely food, and went water-skiing and snorkelling too. I feel like I'm really relaxed now! It's been lovely to be able to enjoy time at home with Eloy and the dogs. I also bought him a cat. We've called him Casper 'cos he's got the most amazing piercing blue eyes. He's really cute.

Are you still sharing your time between Amsterdam and Ireland?

Yeah. Well, I try to spend a lot of time in Amsterdam with Eloy, but my family are in Ireland and I try to get back as often as possible so I can see my sister and her kids. I guess most of the time I'm in Amsterdam, though. I do spend quite a lot of time in London as well. I'm here for a month now, up until the single is released. I'm missing my dogs loads, which is why I've got this new cyber dog. I love him! He's so cute and it's good because it doesn't make a mess!

Where do you prefer to live, Amsterdam or Ireland?

Amsterdam. Why do I like it so much? I like it because I don't get hassled. It's so laid back. People are just so friendly. There are people from all walks of life and cultures- and that's what I like. It's like a great big melting pot. Boyzone were so big in Ireland that every time I go home people constantly recognise me and it's hard to have a private life.

Your new single Stay is out this month. What's it like?

It's an uptempo track, a bit like an 'N Sync or Britney record. I really wanted to get back to the whole pop thing. I Believe was a nice track but I think it was a bit grown-up. So this time I've gone back to my roots. I've ditched the suit and I'm dressing in my jeans and my most comfy casual clothes.

How does it feel to be doing funky dance routines again?

It's great! This routine is really heavy- I forgot how hard it is to dance and sing at the same time! It took me about three hours a day for three days to learn!

You didn't do too badly when you were in Boyzone. . .

I guess so! There was one time when I was on the last Boyzone tour that I did sing and dance live, but it's very hard. I think as long as you're honest about it, then people can't knock you for not trying to have a go. I don't have to prove myself anymore.

Do you prefer to sing ballads or is pop more your thing?

Uptempo pop is more fun and the audience really get into it. But a pop song is much harder to write than a ballad is. Then again, ballads are great to perform. You just sit down for a few minutes, sing the song and then stand up and walk towards to the audience. It's different but I'm loving the whole uptempo dance routines thing.

Rumour has it you'd like to try your luck at acting?

I would absolutely love to get into movies. I was desperate to get a part in the Harry Potter movie but loads of the parts had gone before I'd auditioned. Hopefully I'll try for Harry Potter 2 when they make it! Magical movies are something I really want to do- either that or an American college movie. You never know, they could be looking for an Irish student to be the lead part!

We have to ask. Have you seen the other boys recently?

I spoke to Keith yesterday- he's on great form. Wasn't Big Brother great? He came across really well didn't he? That's just the way Keith is all the time. He wasn't putting it on for the cameras. He's a great guy. I haven't spoken to any of the other lads for a while. I haven't even seen the new Keating baby! Keith hasn't spoken to Ronan for ages either- I guess Ronan is really busy at the moment. I read that he was about to release his album out in America, so I can imagine he's rushed off his feet. I'll call him soon.

So do you think you'll get together for another tour?

Who knows? The four of us would love to do a tour. We'd do one tomorrow if we could. I think it's crazy of us not to, but Ronan is concentrating on his solo stuff and that's what's important to him at the moment. We did have a tour pencilled in for the end of the year but things changed. If I get to see him soon I'll try and persuade him to do something for the end of the year!