Ronan: Stephen's death 'worse than losing mum'

by Daily Gossip Nov 7th 2009 3:08AM

Ronan Keating arriving at the funeral of Stephen Gately

Ronan Keating has spoken about the death of Boyzone bandmate Stephen Gately and has revealed that he struggled to cope with the shock.

In fact he found the loss so hard to deal with that he says it was worse than losing his mum to cancer 11 years ago.

He told the Mirror: "It has been the hardest thing I have ever known – ever. With my mum, she was sick for a while that we had almost two years to prepare for the end.

"We built a wall with mum. She was 51 and I was 20 at the time. I went through a lot of dark times. But with Steve, it was a shock and so sudden. We don't know what has happened which has made it so devastating. Steve was 33. A young man, with so much to give, so much life. It shows how fragile life is."

But Stephen's death has left Ronan with a lasting appreciation of life as a father and he has been overwhelmed by the public reaction to the tragedy.

He added: "I have three children and I don't plan on going anywhere now. I'm theirs, completely. The people have lifted me out of the dark place I was in.

"That's the one thing which kept us going through it all: the overwhelming support. It has been incredible. The media, the public and the fans. I am delighted for Steve that people did it with whole heartedness."

He will be sorely missed by many, but we take a look back at the life of Stephen Gately...

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Nov 7th 2009 5:53AM

joe commented:

User rating: Two thumbs down

What an absolute idiot statement to make how can anyone's death be worse than losing your mother? Stephan's should be ashamed of himself i lost my mother over 25 years ago and i still miss her more than anyone

Nov 7th 2009 9:16AM

eleanor killett commented:

User rating: Neutral

y'all leave the man alone and let him R.I.P
there was nothing wrong with Stephen Gately he just thort it was time to give up proberly least he made a hit single befor he went

Nov 7th 2009 6:25AM

maggie fowler commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Disgraceful thing to say- its NOT your world and its NOT your life--there is no right and no wrong sexuality in this world...Homosexuality has always been there. Stephen Gateleys death is just as dreadful as any death.

Nov 7th 2009 6:22AM

kathleen commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

i believe it could be just as bad as losing your mother or close one as the band was very close and they are going to miss him tremendously it doesnt matter if he was gay either live and let live i say he will be sadly missed,i can see ronans point he had 2yrs to prepare for his mothers death and they knew it was going to happen with steven it was so sudden and unexpected at such a young age give them a break they have lost a best friend like a brother

Nov 7th 2009 6:51AM

tricia commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Bob thomson, What a nasty person you are. I wonder how you would cope if a member of your family turned out to be gay. Remember Steven Gateleys death had a big impact on a lot of people, he was a nice guy and loved by a lot of people. You are a DISGRACE.
tricia

Nov 7th 2009 7:27AM

Andy commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

What Ronan is saying here for the thick people out there that cant "read" (BOB) is this is now and its hard to come to terms with. His mother died of cancer, he prepared himself for that. Stevens life was cut short on holiday. Now think on that, going on holiday never to return at 33...

As a God believing person Gay lifestyles are wrong, but Bob (comment made at 6.08am) catch a grip. It is idiots like you that has this country going down the tube.

Judgment Day will sort others, but your evil talk will have to be answered for as well. Now we see with Gately how life can disapear, Bob, Are you ready to meet GOD? This is something you should worry about more than the rights and wrongs of Gays.

Ronan has lost a dear friend, a brother figure. Respect.

Good luck ronan and the rest of the lads.

Nov 7th 2009 8:00AM

mick jones commented:

User rating: Neutral

if being a god beleiving person makes you beleive gay lifestyles are wrong then i have 0 respect for you and all others who beleive they are allowed to say things like that because a bearded man sitting on a cloud says so, i would prefer to be gay than a christian any day

Nov 7th 2009 7:49AM

Debs commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

I think what ronan was trying to say, is that he had time to prepare, when his mother died and he didnt with Stephen. We lost my sons best friend who was 15 at the time and he died suddenly in his sleep. That has been more painful than losing one of my parents as it was so sudden.

People who have left such hurtful comments about Stephens sexuality, are very sad people. We are all human beings and it doesnt matter what our colour, sexuality, religion or anything else happens to be.

My thoughts go out to Ronan who has shown courage and dignity through out this very difficult time, and to the rest of Boyzone, Stephens husband, friends family and fans.

R.I.P Stephen x

Nov 7th 2009 1:12PM

Debbie commented:

User rating: Thumbs up

Oh Bob, ave u learnt nothing in life........u sad sad person, i wont say man because hiding behind a comp to say the things u ave is not very manly in my eyes, word of warning! be very care wot u preach, life has a funny way of coming round n biteing us on the Arse, lets hope 1 of ur children dont have to live with the fear of being regected by u because of ur views!.

Nov 7th 2009 8:41AM

john commented:

User rating: Thumbs up

Bob (pig ignorant Thomson you do realise that you have commited a criminal offence, well you will do when the Police come knocking at your door. By the way don't think you can hide behind a false name they will be able to track you down.
As for Joe straight guy, wonder why he felt the need to tell everyone HE WAS straight, as if anyone cared. Well if you can't get over your mothers death after 25 years you need counselling.

Can you please tell me when and where people were beheaded just for being gay and what has that got to do with the sad death of Stephen Gately?

You must have such a sad life if you can't except that your parents will die before you.

Nov 7th 2009 8:46AM

jacky commented:

User rating: Neutral

i can see exactly were ro is coming from! he had 2 years 2 prepare for his mams death and it still effected him really hard! he is not sayins stephens death i harder its the fact that his life was cut so short and it was unexpected! so he is finding that hard 2 come to terms with!
i can not believe some of the comments on here! there is nothing wrong with been gay!! so BOB grow up i really hope someday u will have to cope with a gay member in your family!! it is a DISGRACE!!! sometimes i am ashamed to say i am british!!!!!!!!!

Nov 7th 2009 8:56AM

Lottie Harris commented:

User rating: Neutral

i cannot believe this has even been written, small minded people like you Bob disgrace me, i am also a Christian and i cannot believe god lets people like you walk this earth and takes away such lovely people. I have also lost my mum and friends at a very young age, grief is horrible! friends are the family we can choose,and i completely understand his statement. It about time you open your eyes and move with the times!!

Nov 7th 2009 9:21AM

anna commented:

User rating: Neutral

My sister died of a brain tumour 30 years ago leaving 2 children under the age of 4. Although both have turned out fine, it does not detract that they also lost their Mum at such young age & apart from photo's, they cannot really remember her. Ronan had a chance to tell his Mum he loved her and would miss her but with Stephen, all of Boyzone and their families were denied that chance as he died so suddenly and away from home. That is the point I think Ronan was trying to put across & it really didn't matter to them that Stephen was gay - he was loved - and that was something that Ronan & the guys didn't get round to telling him!

Nov 13th 2009 10:23AM

Marlene Graham commented:

User rating: Neutral

I basically think we should all look at our own lives and live each day to the full I saw Boyzone this year at the o2. And Stephen Gateley sang all the single ladies word and pitch perfect my son adn I were amazed how fantastic the night was. I will always be grateful that we saw them perform together wone last time. The world is sadder place without him and all the other people in entertainment who passed before there time.

Nov 7th 2009 9:47AM

Maureen commented:

User rating: Thumbs up

This Bob Thompson everyone is referrng to must have left an extremely bad message as it appears to have been deleted, rightfully so. I can appreciate and understand where Ronan is coming from, Stephen often said in their interviews that Ronan looked after him from the start as he was much smaller than the rest of the band, and he was like a 'big brother' to him. Ronan, I am sure remembers those words and will treasure them forever, for it is like he lost his 'brother'. As someone previously said, your family is yours, whatever - good or bad - BUT you choose whom you would like as a friend, someone you can talk to, share your hopes and dreams, a shoulder to lean on in troubled times and above all know that your friend is there no matter what. (No pun intended). Although you have lost him in the physical, know he will be with you always, forever your friend, so continue to talk with him. He'll find a way to let you know he is there. My condolences to yourself, his loving husband and family and the band.

Steven will always be remembered, for his singing and lovely smile.

Maureen

Nov 7th 2009 11:56AM

sandra commented:

User rating: Neutral

Maureen

My sentiments also

Nov 7th 2009 10:13AM

Joseph commented:

User rating: Neutral

Bob i don't know what you said mate. But for right or wrong it's gone, what i can is that no human being is God and has the right to judge, But How on earth would we ever exist if the majority of views were correct is crazy! and for the people who are christian's please read the bible because your just making the religion look supied.But It's very sad that a death has occured period.