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Ronan Keating has revealed that he and his Boyzone bandmates slept in church with Stephen Gately the night before the tragic star’s funeral.
Gately died unexpectedly in 2009 and Keating spoke recently to mark the anniversary of his friend’s death and spoke of the “beautiful and amazing experience” he and Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham shared.
Keating told Sky News: “The four of us decided to stay with him Friday night at church.
“We are all so happy we did. It was our last night together like five, our last real night together.
“We cried and laughed and we could hear him tell jokes and we could hear him respond.
Ronan Keating (front left), Mikey Graham (front right) and Shane Lynch (back right) carry Stephen Gately’s coffin in front of St Laurence O’Toole Church in Dublin. (Photo by Julien Behal / PA Images via Getty Images)
“We didn’t sleep much, a little bit, but it wasn’t about that, it was just about spending time with Steo and we knew Steo well; he didn’t like the dark, he didn’t like being on his own.
“Yes, the five of us had a great time. We toasted and had a drink and it was our way of saying goodbye, it was our way of dealing with it.”
Boyzone, Irish boy band, circa 1995. Clockwise from top left: Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating Stephen Gately (1976 – 2009) and Shane Lynch. (Photo by Tim Roney / Getty Images)
Saturday (October 10) marked 11 years since Gately was found dead at his holiday home in Mallorca after an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.
Keating, Lynch, Duffy and Graham took to social media to mark the anniversary.
Keating posted an image of him and Gately on Instagram with the caption: “It was us as I remember and always wanted. It’s been 11 years and it’s still as difficult as ever not to have you in all of our lives.
“I miss you bro. I miss your laugh I miss your sense of humor. I miss your punches, I miss your high kicks, I miss your bones. I know you’re still smiling straw balls. God bless.”
Graham posted a picture with the words “Never stop missing your son” while Lynch posted a photo of him and Gately with the simple caption “brother.”
Duffy also posted a picture of him and Gately, writing, “11 years as an angel! I love you I miss you “.
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