Stephen Gately’s brother Tony @AnthonyGately is helping raise awareness with CRY in Steo’s memory

Tony Gately: My sister has the same heart condition that killed our Stephen

Campaign … Tony Gately

By SIMON HOUSTON

Published: Today at 00:42

WHEN Boyzone star Stephen Gately died suddenly on holiday in 2009 his close-knit family were left devastated.

But his heartbroken siblings and their children faced even more anguish when they underwent tests to discover if they too were at risk.

And in a cruel twist, it turned out that Stephen’s sister Michelle Carr has the same heart condition that killed the popular singer.

Now Stephen’s younger brother Tony has set up a memorial fund in his brother’s name and is competing in this year’s Great Scottish Run to raise money and awareness.

Stephen died aged 33 in Majorca of sudden arrythmia death syndrome, also known as sudden adult death syndrome.

Tony is urging anyone who thinks they could be at risk to get checked.

The 30-year-old, who lives in Edinburgh, said: “After Stephen passed away the whole family had to get checked because we didn’t know if it was hereditary.

“It took me months to go. I suppose I was scared of getting bad news. It turned out my sister Michelle has it but she’s caught it and is on medication to control it.”

Bus driver Tony, who lives with his wife Claire and sons, Josh, eight, Adam, six and four-month-old Harry, said the singer looked as fit as ever when he last saw him alive, during a tour at Glasgow’s SECC.

But he warned even the healthiest people can be struck down without warning. He explained: “Stephen was as fit as a fiddle, he was training really hard.

Sad … Michelle was devastated at Stephen’s death

“But as was shown with footballer Fabrice Muamba, you don’t have to lie around the house eating take-aways every night to have a heart condition. You can be super-fit.

“A simple check-up could have saved Stephen’s life and I would urge everyone to get checked out if they think they might have a problem.

“All our kids have to be screened because it could skip a generation. It’s very worrying.

“I received letters and emails from people all over Europe who have lost husbands, brothers and fathers to cardiac conditions and I just thought, ‘it’s time to do something’.”

Stephen’s family has been thinking about the memorial fund for two years and Tony is delighted it’s up and running.

But he admits parents Margaret and Martin, brothers Mark, 41, and Alan, 37, and Michelle, 40, are struggling to cope. And he revealed he can’t bring himself to read Stephen’s novel, The Tree Of Seasons, which was published after his death.

He said: “We are all still grieving. I haven’t even read his book. That’s part of him I don’t want to let go, it was nearly the last thing he did.

“Claire has read it to Josh and Adam and they love it. Stephen based one of the characters on Josh.

“At the show at Glasgow’s SECC, Stephen and the lads flew over the audience on special cables and he came down and picked the boys up, which will live on in their memory.

“I was so proud. I looked up to Stephen so much, he was brilliant.”

Tony, who hopes to launch a singing career, has released a song in his brother’s memory, called He’s Still Around, written by Stephen’s friend Steve Coxshall, who also manages boyband Blue.

Poignantly, Stephen — known as Steo to pals — heard an early version of the tune and loved it.

Tony said: “It was originally called She’s Still Around, but I changed the lyrics. I recorded it last weekend in London and it was so hard standing in the booth singing because that’s how I remember Stephen.

“I feel as though something is pushing me towards it.” Tony’s running the 10k at the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run in September in aid of charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Boyzone star Keith Duffy has tweeted fans to sponsor him, writing: “Steo Gately’s Baby Brother making a difference, please support him!”

CRY’s Alison Cox said: “We are grateful for Tony’s support.”

Visit c-r-y.org.uk The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run takes place on September 1 and 2. Choose from children’s races, 10k or half marathon. It costs from £20 for the 10k and £25 for the half marathon. To enter go to runglasgow.org

This photo came from Ronan’s facebook page, and can be used as a cover photo for your Facebook Timeline!

Tickets for Ronan’s upcoming 2013 UK solo tour have been announced and went on sale on Friday 25th May!

At present, only UK dates have been announced, but Ronan has reassured everyone via his twitter page (@ronanofficial), that Irish dates are to follow soon.

Links to the different venues can be found via http://ronankeating.com/ and/or found on all the usual ticket promoter sites such as Ticketmaster, Seetickets, Bookingdirect, Ticketline, Ticketfactory, Gigantic etc etc.

Tickets are sure to sell out fast so get your tickets while they last!

Don’t know if there’s any truth to this one…

Ronan Keating - Ronan Keating Drinking To Cope With End Of Marriage

24 May 2012 09:00:08 AM Ronan Keating picture

Ronan Keating Drinking To Cope With End Of Marriage

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Ronan Keating has been drinking ”all the f***ing time” in the wake of his split from wife of 14 years, Yvonne.

Ronan Keating has been drinking ”all the f***ing time” in the wake of his marriage split.

The ‘Life is a Rollercoaster’ singer announced his parting from wife Yvonne after 14 years together last month, and admits he’s not been looking after himself properly since.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ”I’ve lost a bit of weight. I run a lot and basically I haven’t been eating - just drinking all the f***ing time. It’s not healthy, really.

”It’s been a horrible past few months. This has been by far the hardest thing I have ever had to contend with in my life, the hardest thing Yvonne and I have had to do together.”

Yvonne, 38, and Ronan, 35, split late last year, but spent Christmas together to try and keep a sense of normality for their children Jack, 13, Marie, 11, and Ali, six.

The singer credits his kids with helping him get through the pain of the break-up.

He added to The Sun newspaper: ”My kids are my light. You know you can pick up the phone at any time wherever you are in the world, if they’re awake, and speak to them and they lift your spirits.”

Ronan and Yvonne initially split in 2010, after it was revealed he had an affair with backing dancer a year earlier, but they decided to give their relationship one more try.

The former Boyzone singer announced they had split again on twitter at the beginning of next month.

Although he is single, Ronan says he’s not ready to start dating again.

He added: ”I am very much single now but can’t even contemplate dating again - that is the last thing on my mind, even the thought of it terrifies me. I’m just not interested.”

Ronan Keating Praises Robin Gibb

Ronan Keating - Ronan Keating Praises Robin Gibb

22 May 2012 12:12 Ronan Keating posted this photo on Twitter with the caption: It's still raining in Cannes

Picture: Ronan Keating posted this photo on Twitter with the caption: It’s still raining in Cannes. But amazing buzz here Cannes, France - 21.05.12 Supplied by WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by WENN are for WENN’s service….

Ronan Keating Praises Robin Gibb

Ronan Keating is devastated by the death of Robin Gibb and has praised the Bee Gees for taking Boyzone “under their wing” in the 1990s.

Gibb lost his battle with cancer on Sunday (20May12), and Keating, who was flying to Europe from Australia when the news broke, has reached out to the sole surviving member of the trio, Barry Gibb, as he mourns his brother - nine years after third member Maurice Gibb died.

Speaking on British morning show Daybreak, the Irish star says, “I couldn’t believe it. I flew in from Sydney yesterday morning as I was on a plane for most of the day and when I landed in Heathrow I got the word about Robin.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his brother Barry who’s been through so much, my God - to lose all your brothers like that, it’s just devastating.”

Boyzone covered the Bee Gees track Words and the two groups teamed up to perform the song in the mid-1990s - and Keating has fond memories of their time together.

He adds, “We were lucky enough to work with him, to sing with him, perform a song called Words together and they really took us under their wing and they were great to Boyzone, so we’re thinking about all the family.”

Meanwhile, Billy Ray Cyrus has added his own tribute to Gibb, writing on his Twitter.com page, “R. I. P. Thoughts and prayers with your Mama and all your family. And yes… you touched this country boys life in a big way.”

And rocker Roger Daltrey tells the Bbc, “I hear everyone talking about the success of their career but I haven’t heard many talk about him (Gibb) as a singer and I used to think he was one of the best.

“To me, singing is about moving people and Robin’s voice had something about it that could move me and, I’m sure, millions of others. It was almost like his heart was on the outside.”

Ronan Keating - Ronan Keating Enjoys “Risky” Film Debut As Scientist

22 May 2012 19:10

Ronan Keating posted this photo on Twitter with the caption: It's still raining in Cannes

Picture: Ronan Keating posted this photo on Twitter with the caption: It’s still raining in Cannes. But amazing buzz here Cannes, France - 21.05.12 Supplied by WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright or License in the attached material. Any downloading fees charged by WENN are for WENN’s service….

Ronan Keating Enjoys “Risky” Film Debut As Scientist

Ronan Keating, of course most famously known as front man of Irish boy group Boyzone as well as being a sometime solo performer himself, has taken a bold step in making a turn for the movies, and the fruits of his labour are being put on show at this year’s prestigious Cannes Festival - currently taking place.

Keating stars in the upcoming film ‘Goddess’ alongside Laura Michelle Kelly and admitted that his biggest was fear was trying to balance both his film and musical aspirations. “I’m finishing an album at the moment that will come out in August,” he said, according to The Press Association, “I hope I can do the two in tandem, I would like to think so. It just needs someone to believe in me again like Mark believed in me. It’s a risk taking someone who’s a musician and putting them into a film.”

The film’s plot sees Keating play a scientist who is away whilst his wife stays at home looking after their family. Bored, she installs a webcam and starts singing songs about her life, only to become an internet sensation and having to choose between fame and fortune or losing it all. Keating admitted that it had been fun to do, claiming “It was a very different experience. I’ve made a load of music videos but dealing with dialogue and with other people, and reacting to them and things they say to you, it’s a whole other minefield.”

Boyzone - Keith Duffy Rounds Up Support For Stephen Gately Fundraiser

28 May 2012 12:16

Boyzone singer Keith Duffy

Picture: Boyzone singer Keith Duffy spotted at Today FM promoting his Big Red Bike Ride cycle for autism. Also spotted new mom and Ireland AM presenter Anna Daly seen walking on South William Street Dublin, Ireland - ….

Keith Duffy Rounds Up Support For Stephen Gately Fundraiser

Late Boyzone star Stephen Gately’s brother is tackling a charity run in the singer’s memory.

Tony Gately is preparing to race in the 6.2-mile (10-kilometre) Great Scottish Run to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young, and he’s dedicating his efforts to the tragic star.

He says, “This charity is very close to my heart after losing my beloved brother Stephen in 2009 to an undiagnosed heart condition. Every week in the U.K. at least 12 young people die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions and every loss is a heartbreak.”

Boyzone star Keith Duffy has taken to Twitter.com to encourage fans to sponsor Tony, writing, “Steo (Stephen) Gately’s Baby Brother (is) making a difference, please support him!”

The Great Scottish Run will take place in Glasgow on 2 September (12).

#HappyBirthdaySteo

We miss you more than words can say. Thank you for being a part of our lives. Though you may be gone, your memory lives on, and we’ll remember you through your music, and the good times we shared until the end.

We hope you’re up there having a dance and a few bottles of bubbly, while we raise our glasses and send red balloons from our hearts for you to catch.

Happy Birthday Superman, we miss you xxxx

31 plays

shejustgotstronger:

Shane Lynch - One For The Road

Because St. Patrick’s Day.

(Excuse the second or two of another song at the end. I failed really hard at recording this off his MySpace. While we’re on the subject, I had no idea the EP was being sold through his website as recently as October 2011 and now I’m sad… does anyone out there in Tumblrville happen to have it/want to upload it/have a link to it/want to sell it to me?)

Can anybody help a fan out with finding Shane’s EP Stand Tall No Pride? @cloudlynch do you still have a stockist?

Our friends over at @4stephengately have made the papers! Well done ladies!

This is the article from today’s Dublin People.

Monday, March 12, 2012 12:00

New Facebook page set up in Gately’s honour

By Aoibhinn Twomey

• TOP FAN: Wendy Gian pictured with Keith Duffy after he appeared in the theatre show ‘Big Maggie’ last month.

FANS of the late north inner city singer Stephen Gately have set up a new Facebook page in his honour.

Wendy Gian (33), from Amsterdam, contacted Northside People to let Stephen’s fans know that he hasn’t been forgotten.

“We set up the page in January to celebrate Stephen’s life and his work,” says Wendy. “Also, we wanted to show people that we will never forget him and he is still important to us.

“Myself and my friends Leanne Pearson and Sylvia Bominaar have been busy with the Facebook page since last December. We wanted to prepare everything because a fan page takes time.

Ideas

“We started by sorting everything out and coming up with ideas about how we were going to do it.

“We wanted it to be different than other pages. We figured that it’s all about teamwork. We are a great team.

“We have 255 followers of the page because we have just started it, but we hope to have 500 at the end of this year. Up until now the reaction has been very positive.

“Fans are also helping us by providing pictures and spreading the word about the page’s existence, and some of Stephen’s friends are members.”

Wendy and her friends are also determined to raise funds for the UK-based charity Cauldwell Children of which Stephen was an ambassador. They are currently selling wristbands and keychains online, while Leeanne is going to run a half marathon to raise funds.

Stephen died in October 2009 while on holiday in Majorca, aged just 33. Wendy was in London when she heard of his death.

Unfair

“I was very sad,” she recalls. “When I seen all the footage of his funeral, it was just horrible and so unfair that a very young man should die. He was such a good person who affected so many people.”

Wendy says she has many happy memories of Stephen, and especially his performance of the track ‘Single Ladies’.

“He looked so happy, alive and full of positive energy,” she states. “He really enjoyed being on stage.

Cute

“He was cute, sweet, hugging and honest, had this amazing, beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, and his heart was in the right place. He was just someone you wanted to hug when you saw him.”

Wendy travelled to London, Dublin and Castlebar last year for the Boyzone tribute tour, which was “amazing”.

“It was a tour full of dancing, singing and tears,”she states.

“You could really see and feel the love for Stephen, by the Boyzone members themselves and also the fans.

Respect

“We miss Stephen very much. I’m very proud of what Mikey (Graham), Ronan (Keating), Shane (Lynch) and Keith (Duffy) have done for him. They deserve great respect.”

Wendy and her friends have also called a star after Stephen.

“Leeanne found out that you can call a star after a person,” adds Wendy.

“We all love it because we always call Stephen our bright, shining star. It is very fitting.”

Stephen Gately’s fans will particularly remember him this weekend on his birthday. The man who hailed from Sheriff Street would have been 36 on St Patrick’s Day.

More Information - http://www.facebook.com/76StephenGately09

Make sure you follow @4stephengately on twitter, and come say hello to us over at @boyzonemafia, too! We try to keep you updated with the latest news as much as possible, and aim to keep Stephen’s memory alive, no matter what.

Ronan Glenarm Castle (NI) Tickets On Sale Tomorrow Morning!

Ronan Keating Live at Glenarm Castle

with very special guest Sharon Corr

Saturday 14th July 2012

Rounding off our Highland Games in sensational style, Glenarm Castle will play host to Ronan Keating, live in concert on the evening of Saturday 14th July, along with his very special guest Sharon Corr, as part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival Week.

Fresh from a sell-out Australian tour, Ronan and Sharon are set to put on a spectacular show in this truly unique setting that is not to be missed.

Tickets, priced £39.95 (inc. booking fee) go on sale Saturday 10th March, 9am, and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or 24 hour ticket hotline 0844 277 4455 and all usual Ticketmaster outlets.

Guests should note that this concert will take place within a big top tent in the grounds of Glenarm Castle. Gates open at 6.30pm and under 14s should be accompanied by an adult, whilst licensed bar facilities will be available to only those over 18 with a valid ID.

As you may know, @4stephengately have named a star after Stephen Gately. https://stars.osr.org/stephen-gately#.T1j2_8BUySp

We’re asking you to all visit the page here https://stars.osr.org/stephen-gately#.T1j2_8BUySp and leave a message for Steo.

We’re sure, like us, Steo is in your thoughts every day. He’s in our hearts and minds and memories. We all have our own special memories of Stephen, whether it be from meeting him, sharing a moment with him on stage (a wave or a smile, perhaps), or maybe it’s because he helped you through a difficult time in your life, or because he inspired you every day.

What ever the reason, leave him a special message and let every body know exactly what he meant and still means to you.

Also follow @BoyzoneMafia and @4stephengately on twitter.

Tickets to see Shane in Aladdin this winter are already on sale. Here’s the link to book and list of shows, dates and times http://www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk/whats-on/live/aladdin-presented-by-mbp-392/

To book tickets, and for a list of shows, dates and times click on the link… http://www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk/whats-on/live/aladdin-presented-by-mbp-392/

Boyzone’s Shane Lynch will star as the villain Abanazar in this year’s professional Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.

Magic Beans Productions, who previously brought you the Stag’s professional pantomimes Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk and Mother Goose, return to the Stag Community Arts Centre for the 2012/13 season to transport you to the mystical far east, with the spectacular family pantomime Aladdin, featuring an all-star cast.

Shane will be joined by acting heavyweight, the Oliver-nominated Tony Haygarth, whose acting credits include The Tempest at the National Theatre and numerous TV and film roles, and Twist and Pulse, the dancing duo who infuse comedy into street dance and who are best known for their performances on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. There will truly be something for everyone this Christmas at the Stag.

Ant Payne and Robert Pearce have been the perfect panto pairing, playing comic and dame for the last three years at the Stag. They’ll be back in 2012, playing Widow Twankey and Wishee (Silly) Washee (Billy)!

Also returning will be Jasette Amos, who was a huge hit with audiences of Jack and the Beanstalk, playing Fairy Fabulous. Jasette will be playing the Genie of the Lamp in the 2012 production.

The 2012 pantomime will be extended by one week due to public demand. Aladdin will open on Saturday December 8 2012 and run until Sunday January 6 2013. Book now as tickets are going fast!

Great photo of Shane here, as he gets ready to play a great villain in panto this Christmas.

Hands up, who still thinks of Mikey singing Billionaire wearing a lot of make up when you hear the name Abanazar?

Shane to play Abanazar in Sevenoaks’ Christmas Panto Aladdin!

Isn’t it a wonder?

International celebrity Shane Lynch of Boyzone joins Britain’s Got Talent finalists Twist and Pulse and Olivier-nominated actor Tony Haygarth in the star-studded cast of this year’s Christmas pantomime, Aladdin, at the Stag Community Arts Centre

Ahead of Boyzone’s 20^th anniversary tour next year, Irish superstar Shane Lynch will be starring as the villain Abanazar in this year’s Christmas pantomime Aladdin at the Stag Community Arts Centre, Sevenoaks. Shane will be joined by acting heavyweight, the Olivier-nominated Tony Haygarth, whose acting credits include The Tempest at the National Theatre and numerous TV and film roles, and Twist and Pulse, the dancing duo who infuse comedy into street dance and who are best known for their performances on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. There will truly be something for everyone this Christmas at the Stag.

Boyzone is rightly regarded as one of the biggest bands in history. The group has sold more than 20 million records since 1993, notched up 18 top-10 singles and six number one spots. When he’s not recording or touring with Boyzone, Shane is a professional racing car driver and has acted in pantomimes for the past few years. He also owns his own clothing range and a recently launched vodka brand.

“I’ve grown up around pantomime,” Shane explains. “I have five sisters who were involved in stage school and plays. I enjoy pantomime, especially at Christmas time. It’s a real family event, it’s something for the kids, and I’m a family man, so it’s great.”

When the going gets tough, the tough get into pantomime. Shane has a reputation for being the bad boy of Boyzone, but the role of panto baddie is new to him. Imposing, 6ft 4 and heavily tattooed, Shane is looking forward to the challenge of trying a new role. “I’ve always been cast as the prince,” he comments. “I’m not a trained actor, so I haven’t had the chance to explore different roles. But my appearance lends itself to the villain, so it seems like a natural step. It will no doubt be a challenge, but the only way to try something is to jump straight into it.”

Tony Haygarth will make his pantomime return this year as the Emperor of China. Tony appeared in the Stag’s Christmas panto in 2009 and 2010, but was forced to miss last year’s production through illness. “Pantomime is fantastic in that it allows you to really enjoy yourself on stage,” he says. “The more you’re honestly laughing about the comedy on stage, the more the audience gets carried along with you. And the Sevenoaks audiences are so willing to be carried along with you.”

Tony’s portfolio stretches over decades of film, TV and theatre roles, and includes literature analysis and self-penned poetry collections. Just a few highlights from his eclectic span of work area year in Emmerdale, the starring role in Where The Heart Is, Chicken Run, The Bill, Casualty and Midsomer Murders.

Making their pantomime debut this year will be dancing sensations Twist and Pulse, finalists on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. They will be bringing their special brand of “streetomedy” – a combination of street dancing and comedy – to the stage in the role of bungling policemen Ping and Pong. “We just love to make people laugh,” the pair say. “We’ll be able to make these roles our own and inspire young people in Sevenoaks too.”

Jamie Alexander Wilson, producer at Magic Beans Productions, which stages the pantomime, comments: “It’s easy to forget that, until 2009, there had been no professional pantomime in Sevenoaks for years. However, the Stag has since earned a reputation for staging one of the best Christmas pantomimes in the region. Our audiences challenge us to come back each year with bigger, better shows. We’ve attracted star names and talented performers to Sevenoaks over the past four years, but this year, I think the line-up will take people by surprise. Shane Lynch is a huge billing for Sevenoaks. On his own, he would be a big draw, but combined with Twist and Pulse, Tony Haygarth, Jasette Amos, Robert Pearce and Ant Payne, we’re confident that this ridiculously talented cast will bring Chistmas magic to Sevenoaks this year. I’m very excited about getting on with writing a script for them!”

The parts of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine will be cast through the Stag’s now-famous X-Factor style audition competition, which attracts entrants from across the UK, and each year provides talented performers with their professional break. You’ll be able to follow the whole process by watching the online TV series The Panto Factor, presented by Twist and Pulse, in September.

“The Panto Factor provides a genuine chance for anyone, anywhere, who wants to be a professional performer, to get an audition for a great role and a paid job,” explains Magic Beans’ Jamie, who runs the competition. “In the last three years, the competition and subsequent panto roles have launched the careers of very talented people. The 2011 Panto Factor winner Laura-Jane Matthewson, who landed her first professional role playing Fairy in Mother Goose [the 2011 Christmas pantomime at the Stag], has already been booked to play Fairy by another producer for this Christmas. This year,The Panto Factor will be the biggest it’s ever been. The two winners, who will be cast as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, will be joining an amazing production.”

“While the Stag remains committed to offering accessibility for all members of the community, professional performances form an extremely important part of our calendar,” says Linda Larter, MBE, Chief Executive at the Stag. “We’re very proud of all the productions that come through our doors, but we are all particularly excited that the Stag is growing in stature in the performing world to the extent that we see international celebrities such as Shane Lynch treading the boards here. The rising star of the Stag is boosted immeasurably by Jamie and his team, not just through their ambitious and visionary productions, but also through the extensive behind-the-scenes work they put into youth outreach work and supporting the Stag in often-unsung ways.”

Ticket prices for Aladdin are £17 for adults, £15 for concessions and £11.50 for school performances. More than 1000 tickets for the pantomime have already gone, so speedy booking is advised if you want to see Aladdin this Christmas.

For more information please click here…

From: http://stagsevenoaks.co.uk/about/recent-news/57#57

Boyzone Mafia Comment:

Shane’s bandmate Mikey Graham also played the character Abanazar in the 2010 production of Aladdin at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin! Mikey was a fabulous villain and we’re sure Shane will give him a good run for his money this Christmas!!