Boyzone united by Stephen's spirit

Nov 11, 2009, 5:02 GMT

Boyzone are spending a lot of time together because it feels like Stephen Gately is still with them.

The Irish group - Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham - are still mourning the loss of their bandmate, who died of natural causes last month, but are focusing on their work as it makes them miss the singer less.

Ronan told UK TV show 'GMTV': "The four of us are sticking together a lot because when we are together we feel like he is in the room almost."

The singer also spoke about the group's decision to release a new album, insisting is what their friend would have wanted and believes it is an appropriate tribute to the late star.

He added: "We are going to make a record. There were two songs Stephen had already put vocals on, so we are going to release it for Ste-o. I think it will be out in the first quarter next year.

"More than anything we are so excited about making the record for Stephen, for the fans."

His bandmate Keith said: "It's not about Boyzone - we're putting it out for him because we know he would have wanted that and we think people are really going to like it"

Keith also admitted he broke down in tears the first time he heard the material they are working on.

He said: "I listened to it for the first time with my mum and we ended up bawling."

Stephen died aged 33 from an acute pulmonary oedema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, at his holiday home in Majorca on October 10.