Boyzone Plan Final Tribute To Stephen

The band rumoured to be holding vigil for tragic Gately...

13:45, Thursday, 15 October 2009

Stephen Gately’s Boyzone band-mates are allegedly planning to spend the night with the singer's body ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

The late night vigil will see Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham sleep in the church along with the body of the 33 year-old the night before he is laid to rest.

The members of the band have said they are going to stay with Stephen because he 'wouldn’t want to be alone'.

A source has stated: “It proves how close they were. Those lads would do anything for Stephen and they know he would not want to be there on his own.”

The rest of Boyzone and Gately’s civil-partner Andy Cowles are said to be flying from Majorca and returning to Dublin today with Stephen’s body ahead of a family wake tomorrow.

It is also rumoured that Ronan and Co will act as pall bearers on Saturday, carrying their friends coffin through the church at the funeral.

Gately’s close friend and manager Louis Walsh has reportedly turned down the opportunity to speak at Stephen’s funeral after fearing he would be ‘too emotional’.

The X Factor judge said: “They asked me to get involved but I couldn’t stand up. The emotions and nerves would be worse than any 'X Factor’ show. I don’t like real life – that’s why I love the pop business, because it’s not real.”

Walsh added: “The funeral will hit me hard because it still hasn’t sunk in that he’s gone. I’m dazed. It will be an awful, dreadful day.”

“If he’s looking down on us from heaven, he’s going to love it and be so proud. He gave the world so much joy, so it’s only right that’s how we remember him.”

Aside from Gately’s funeral in Dublin, there are also rumours that a memorial service for the singer will be held in London.

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