Boyzone are planning a massive reunion to mark their quarter of a century anniversary
IT’S lucky that RONAN KEATING is good pals with GARY BARLOW.
Otherwise the TAKE THAT frontman might not be too happy with his fellow singer’s plans to gatecrash his band’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
I can reveal BOYZONE are also secretly planning to mark a quarter of a century in the business next year — meaning pop fans will get a double bubble of nostalgia.
Ronan, SHANE LYNCH, KEITH DUFFY and MIKEY GRAHAM are all in talks for a grand return to music in 2018.
There have been discussions about everything from an album and tour to a tell-all book and even a West End show.
A source revealed: “Boyzone’s comeback is well and truly on for 2018.
“It will be 25 years since they first started out so the lads want to do something extra special.
“Talks have been going on for a while and there are a number of ideas in the works.”
The Boyzone name has been kept alive by Keith as one half of BOYZLIFE — a boyband mash-up with WESTLIFE star BRIAN McFADDEN.
The source added: “Obviously Keith has been doing his thing in Boyzlife for the past year, which has been brilliant, but now all four of the boys are coming together.
“It’s going to be a proper moment for pop music.”
Lead singer Ronan confirmed the news, saying: “Twenty five years! It’s such a long time and so much has happened.
“I’m sure we’ll mark it in some way. But whether by tour, record, book, musical . . . we haven’t decided yet.” No Matter What form (sorry) their comeback takes, it will be welcomed by fans across the globe.
At the height of their fame in the Nineties Boyzone sold 25million records worldwide, scoring six chart-topping singles and four No1 albums.
They know exactly how to do a reunion, too.
After splitting up in 2000 they re-formed in 2008 for a blockbuster world tour and greatest hits album.
But sadly just one year later founding member STEPHEN GATELY was found dead at his home in Majorca.
Officials ruled he had been killed by an undetected heart condition.
The band released a further two albums in tribute to Stephen before downing tools for several projects.
These included Ronan coaching on The Voice Australia, various reality TV stints for Mikey and a move into the barbershop business for Shane, while Keith formed Boyzlife with Brian.
Their success touring the UK has shown there is clearly still demand for both groups from the British — and of course Irish — public.
Given he managed both Westlife and Boyzone, LOUIS WALSH ought to be pleased too.
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Nic's a hit in capital
Always low-key and reserved, NICKI MINAJ never likes to make a fuss . . .
That’s why she decided to shut down central London to film her new music video. She shot scenes to go with single No Frauds on Westminster Bridge, right next to the Houses of Parliament.
Hundreds of fans rushed there to get a glimpse on Sunday, causing chaos for her team and bringing roads to a standstill.
Sadly, THERESA MAY didn’t pop out to say “hi”. Nicki, who had jetted into the capital in secret, waved a Union Flag in front of fans while wearing a silver headpiece.
DRAKE, who features on the track with LIL’ WAYNE, is also in London, having performed at The O2 last night.
If Nicki’s chosen setting was the bridge, maybe Drake will end up on top of The Shard.
An Ed-start for pals
A chart-topping album, ten weeks at No1 for Shape of You and 16 songs in the top 20 simultaneously – yet ED SHEERAN still isn’t satisfied.
He has broken records with third album Divide, but Ed is confident he will soon be raking in even more royalties after writing a stream of upcoming singles for other stars.
In an exclusive interview, Ed told me: “I am hell-bent on trying to get as many cuts for other artists this year as possible.
“So I’ve got a lot of stuff coming out – you’ll hear one of them very, very soon. They will all come out by the end of the year.
“There are seven or eight main singles coming out for other people.”
He penned JUSTIN BIEBER’s Love Yourself but has also been writing with ZARA LARSSON, ANNE-MARIE and JAMES BLUNT.
I can’t wait to hear the rest.
Dan's man for Kate
KATE HUDSON has put to bed months of rumours that she is dating BRAD PITT in one fell swoop.
Here is a picture of the actress out with her new man – musician and record label boss Danny Fujikawa.
The pair were spotted kissing inside a juice bar in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading off for lunch together.
As a former member of US band CHIEF, the rocker is definitely Kate’s type.
She was married to THE BLACK CROWES singer CHRIS ROBINSON for seven years and later engaged to MUSE frontman MATT BELLAMY.
Brad will have to wait for now.
Harry's trials
I have finally worked out why HARRY STYLES is taking so long to unveil his solo music.
The ONE DIRECTION singer has been recording his whole album in the most laid-back place on the planet – the Caribbean.
Harry’s best mate, NICK GRIMSHAW revealed the location after admitting Harry is worried his upcoming vibes might not go down well with his friends.
The Radio 1 DJ said: “He’s worried I won’t like his new solo record.
“He recorded it in Jamaica, so I’m praying it’s some awful, white-man reggae.”
Reggae would certainly be an interesting direction for Harry – though I’m not sure even he could pull off dreadlocks.
It's Zayn malice
ZAYN MALIK was always dubbed the “mysterious” member of ONE DIRECTION and he might have finally explained why.
The singer has revealed he has an evil twin – named Rodger Malik – and even has the name tattooed on his leg next to a picture of The Joker from Batman. He said: “Maybe it’s a psychological thing or I’m creating an alter ego, but it’s fun to banter with your evil twin.
“He’s quite influential, that Rodger. He’s done a couple of songs on the new album. He’s off fishing today.”
It sounds like one of the strangest showbiz stories in a long while . . . or is it?
I’ve figured out that Zayn’s evil twin must be the person responsible for all the dastardly acts Zayn has committed since first coming on the scene all those years ago, which I’ve listed below.
It all makes sense now.
1. After getting through his audition on The X Factor, Zayn angered SIMON COWELL and co by refusing to dance during boot camp in 2010.
2. Five years later, Zayn broke the hearts of millions of girls around the world by quitting ONE DIRECTION in March.
3. His two-year engagement to LITTLE MIX’s PERRIE EDWARDS ended sourly in August, 2015 after he dumped her by text.
4. Just months after leaving 1D, Zayn fell out with his closest pal and collaborator NAUGHTY BOY in July, calling him a “fat joke”.
5. A month later he had a Twitter feud with CALVIN HARRIS over the superstar DJ’s then-girlfriend, TAYLOR SWIFT. And he had a spat with LOUIS TOMLINSON.
6. AS thousands of fans waited to see him perform live, Zayn pulled out of his set at the 2016 Capital Summertime Ball at the last minute.
U2 told Jacko to beat it
MICHAEL JACKSON tried to spy on U2 after BONO’s boys beat him at the Grammys.
But he didn’t find what he was looking for because his sneaky plot was foiled.
Jacko became obsessed with the Irish rockers – Bono, THE EDGE, LARRY MULLEN and ADAM CLAYTON – after their record The Joshua Tree beat his best-seller Bad to the 1988 Album of the Year award.
The unhappy Prince of Pop wanted to send a private film crew to Dublin to record U2 at work in the studio, to discover the secret of their success.
But their manager PAUL McGUINNESS pulled the plug on his plan, saying it was “a little creepy”.
Bono revealed: “Michael wanted to observe us in our natural habitat.”
It’s probably for the best. I don’t think the Irish jig would have taken off quite as well as his moonwalk.
—ADELE lines up a shock collaboration with Harold Bishop by visiting TV’s Neighbours set in Melbourne, Australia
—The grumpiest man in music, LIAM GALLAGHER is in Paris, the city of love, to shoot the cover for his debut solo album. He is sorting out the artwork for his record and tweeted: “It won’t be long.”
—The new Power Rangers flick is the first big superhero film with an openly gay character. Trini the yellow ranger, played by BECKY G, faces up to her sexuality in a scene which director Dean Israelite calls “pivotal”.
Biz meter: music
THERE are four new albums in this week’s Top Ten. While ED SHEERAN stays at No1, DEPECHE MODE come in at No2 with Spirit. VERA LYNN, DRAKE and ZARA LARSSON are the other acts with new releases riding high, while CLEAN BANDIT’s Symphony is straight in at No5 in the singles chart.
NILE RODGERS and CHIC are returning to Glastonbury four years after headlining at Worthy Farm. Nile accidentally gave away the news during a Twitter conversation before the official line-up was released. Asked whether he was playing at the festival, he replied: “YES!!!!!” Chic have an album coming out this year too.
THE track listing for the new GORILLAZ album has been leaked online, revealing all of DAMON ALBARN and co’s big-name collaborators. Featured artists include GRACE JONES, RAG ’N’ BONE MAN, DE LA SOUL and RAY BLK. Gorillaz will make their live return at their own festival at Dreamland amusement park in Margate, Kent, in June.
SHE has sold more than 300,000 albums and two million singles in the US, now KELSEA BALLERINI is bringing her tunes to the UK. The country star, who supported KEITH URBAN and CARRIE UNDERWOOD on their US tours, performs tracks from debut album The First Time at London’s Under The Bridge on May 11. Hard to believe she’s just 23.
