Boyzone's Keith Duffy admits Stephen Gately is 'always with him' as he makes heartwarming tribute 14 years since he passed away
Keith Duffy has admitted that the late Stephen Gately 'is always with him' as he made a heartwarming tribute to his former bandmate.
The Boyzone star, 49, spoke about his dearly missed friend who passed away in 2009 from a pulmonary oedema due to an undiagnosed heart condition aged 33.
Speaking to The Mirror, Keith reflected on the poignant moment on a rock climbing trip which fell on the anniversary of Stephen's death.
He said: 'Stephen is always with me and it’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years since we lost him.
'That evening, when Shane [Lynch] and I reached the base camp, we raised a glass to him.'
Keith Duffy, 49, has admitted that the late Stephen Gately 'is always with him' as he made a heartwarming tribute to his former bandmate
The Boyzone star spoke about his dearly missed friend who passed away in 2009 from natural causes aged just 33, leaving fans around the world devastated (Stephen pictured left with Keith, right)
He previously said he believes the spirit of his late Boyzone bandmate Stephen joins him onstage as he performs with Brian.
The singer detailed how he 'feels the presence' of his former bandmate Stephen.
Former Corrie actor Keith also explained how Stephen use to experience 'spirits' when he was younger.
Keith told the Daily Star in 2022: 'Brian and I made a pact when we started every time during our shows we would dedicate part to Stephen.
'I absolutely feel his presence and we joke about what he would think of us on stage.'
Discussing Stephen's previous paranormal experiences, Keith said: 'Stephen would feel spirits - it would upset him, the flat he grew up in he told us how a woman used to sit at the end of his bed, Easter eggs flew off the top of a wardrobe and a hairdryer that wasn't plugged in went off.'
One Boxing Day, Stephen stayed with Keith over Christmas when the chart topping bandmates went for a dog walk at night.
Keith said: 'There was a graveyard 1km from my old house and on St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) night 14-15 years ago we went out with the dogs.
Keith previously said he believes the spirit of his late Boyzone bandmate Stephen (pictured) joins him onstage as he performs with Brian
It comes after Keith was rushed to hospital in Dubai with a knee injury just hours ahead of performing as part of Boyzlife alongside Brian McFadden in October
Boyzone's Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch pictured on Loose Women in 2019
'On the way back I saw my neighbour Malachy doing something in his bush but when he turned around it wasn't him, it was a ghost - and blew over us.'
Stephen passed away at his holiday home in Port D'Andratx, Majorca, on October 10 2009.
His death was later determined to have been caused by a pulmonary oedema resulting from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Stephen's funeral, held at St Laurence O'Toole Church in Dublin in October 2009, was attended by Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, fellow Irish band Westlife and Elton John's husband David Furnish.
The group achieved international fame as well as six UK No.1s - including Words, No Matter What, All That Matters To Me and You Needed Me.
It comes after Keith was rushed to hospital in Dubai with a knee injury just hours ahead of performing as part of Boyzlife alongside Brian McFadden in October.
He shared a snap of himself bandaged in his hospital bed as he thanked the staff for all their help in getting him back on his feet.
Keith said that after a 'little patch work' the 'show must go on' and revealed he would delay any surgery until getting home.
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