Boyzone's Take That tune

Dec 9, 2008, 9:55 GMT

Boyzone want to duet with Take That on their next album.

The Irish boy band - who followed in Take That's footsteps by regrouping for a reunion tour and new record - think teaming up with Take That would be a successful venture for both groups.

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately explained to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "We are going into the studio to record a new album next year and I would really love to do a duet on it. I think a Take That and Boyzone single, in the vein of when Girls Aloud and the Sugababes did 'Walk This Way', would be so cool.

"It would be great, although I don't know whether they would be up for doing it. I'm a big Take That fan and they have definitely set the benchmark. They deserve it - they have put their heart and souls into their work."

However, Stephen may have to work hard to convince Take That frontman Gary Barlow to take time out of his busy physical exercise regime.

Gary, who was famously nicknamed "the fat one" at the height of Take That's fame in the 90s, has worked hard to lose his excess pounds, and is determined not to let Christmas ruin his new figure.

He said: "I won't be able to have my Christmas dinner without a guilt trip. So I have got it all planned out. I'm going for a two-hour workout on Christmas morning to earn my dinner and that way I won't feel guilty about getting stuck into it."