Back in 1994, when five Irish teenagers popped up with a cover of an old Osmonds' track, it was hardly surprising they were written off as just another in the long line of Take That wannabies who would momentarily trouble the charts before disappearing to the boyband graveyard in the sky. The freshy-scrubbed faces, cutesome dance routines and relentless pasteurised pop barely broke new ground. Yet five years and 15 million records later, and Boyzone have become nothing less than a national institution.

Hardly a boyband any longer, a carefully constructed game plan has seen them mature into wholesome, middle of the road entertainers - dual paragons of family values. In 1998, crooner and TV host Ronan Keating's marriage and baby brought the total of Boyzone daddies to three. As other bands crashed in a flurry of booze and drugs, the light entertainment rollercoaster that was Boyzone remained free from even the merest whiff of scandal. While Robbie Williams looked like he might end up in intensive care, Boyzone were in Mothercare queuing for booties. Even little Stephen Gately, the only one of the lads to remain suspiciously single, became a public face of one of the biggest family orientated companies in the world, singing the theme tune to Disney movie Hercules.

And then it happened. In early June of this year, someone contacted the tabloids offering' to sell 'the truth' about Stephen Gately's sexuality. Frantic meetings ensued, ending with Stephen deciding to tell his own story in an exclusive interview with The Sun. 'I am gay and I'm in love' declared the front page headline on Wednesday 16th June 1999 and a nation held their breath. Would he be condemned? Would church leaders burn Boyzone records in the street? Or would a public, fresh from accepting the 'What's the big deal?' attitude of George Michael, simply accept it and move on without much fuss, save a few broken teenage hearts?

In the event, even the most optimistic gay commentators must have been shocked at the scale of the reaction. Instead of slashing their wrists, adolescent fans rushed to phone in their messages of support. The Sun's next day edition even included comments from 8 year old children who'd had to have the word 'gay' explained to them by their mummies and daddies - but still loved Stephen anyway. And this was The Sun - a paper which 11 years before had been calling for the heads of homosexuals as corrupters of youth and vectors of disease.

And all the while, the boys' greatest hits album, By Request, (released two weeks earlier), remained virtually immobile at the top of the charts, selling more copies in those early weeks than the rest of the top ten put together. So much for coming out ruining a band's sales potential.

Three weeks later, Boyzone's first public appearance since Gately's outing was at 'Party In The Park' a benefit concert in London's Hyde Park. Stephen got the most riotous reception of the day. Fathers wolf-whistled in affectionate jest, mums and kids cheered their approval of his honesty. Meanwhile, the teen press clamoured to sing his praises. Smash Hits carried the first post-outing interview, openly discussing his sexuality and relationship, commenting on how much in love these two young men are. Revolutionary stuff.

Today, giving his first adult interview since the news broke, Stephen flies in from his boyfriend's side in Holland, where he'll return as soon as we ye finished. He's still obviously anxious to be seen as the amiable family figure that he always was and in conversation is guarded, giving very little away, so as riot to stray past the line of what he thinks his audiences will find acceptable. His forthcoming solo projects won't be cutting edge social political comment, but Bright Eyes (from the animated TV remake of Watership Down) will be huge.

And this is exactly what makes his coming out all the more important. In terms of representation and visibility, Gately, in all his childlike simplicity, is the antithesis to Queer As Folk, George Michael and Chris Smith. As positive as they all are, they don't reach in the same way, the most important people in the wider picture here - kids. Those 8 year olds now all know what gay is. Kids, regardless of sexuality have been introduced to the idea that not everyone loves people of the opposite sex and wow, it's not a big deal, it's not bad, it's not evil, it's not even that different. Ironically in the coming year when Section 28 looks set to (possibly) go, Stephen Gately and the overwhelmingly positive media response has rendered that law more meaningless than ever before.

What difference has coming out made to your life?
It's been a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm more relaxed because I don't have to hide who I am or hide Eloy anymore and it's made me happier within myself. Loads of people have noticed it. Of course Eloy was in a big band as well the ironically named 'Caught In The Act' so he was coming out at the same time and it was a big deal for him too.

So has he had any of your fans trying to scratch his eyes out?
(Laughs) No, no, they've been really supportive. The Boyzone fans ask for a picture of him and an autograph and all his fans do the same with me. It's been a great time for us.

How long have you been with Eloy now?
(He beams, widely) About 13 months and it's definitely made it easier for me to bear. He's a helluva great guy. He's got a heart of gold - the most amazing man I've ever come across. He's stunning looking, too. He's 6ft 3 and I'm 5ft 7, but we gel really well and have a laugh together. We've actually known each other about four and a half years now.

How did you first meet?
In the business. He's big in Germany and we met when I was doing promotion with the band. He didn't know anything about me, I didn't know anything about him, I just thought he was a really nice guy. Then we kept meeting each other every six months or so and became really good mates.

How did you realise that he was gay and vice versa?
[Blushes] We just knew. I never said 'Oh are you gay then?'. It was a feeling. [Smiles]

You live together now, don't you?
(Nods) We have a house in Holland just outside of Amsterdam where he comes from. And we have a place in Ireland when I'm working here.

How do you spend your time together?
We don't go out to clubs, I hate clubs I never go dancing. We tend to do things like go to the movies or watch a video at home. Like last night, we stayed in with a bottle of wine and watched Patch Adams. We walk our dog together, a little Schit-zhu called Joey, and just do everyday things. We're not into going out and coming in at 2 or 3 in the morning. I'd rather go out early for a meal, have a glass of wine and come home. I'm not a majorly nineties person - I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to things like that but that's just me, I enjoy it. Plus this lifestyle is so busy - you're constantly doing interviews or flying around or rehearsing. I have a day off tomorrow so I'll probably get up, chuck on a tracksuit and a coat and we'll drive down to the beach and take Joey for a walk, have some lunch and do simple, nice little things. Any time that we have together, we make the most of - we're never, ever apart anywhere that I go unless it's work. We're very, very happy together... and it's great. It's everything I've always wanted.

You sound like a married couple
(He pauses) Well yeah... just a normal couple.

Do you see it as being for life?
I hope so. I want it to be.

We hear a lot about how difficult it is to be gay in the entertainment industry. What was it like for you?
Well, I remember when I was first joining the group. I knew I was gay but I wasn't going to say 'Oh, you know I'm gay' because I'd be knocking an opportunity.

What would have happened if you had?
Because I didn't know the lads then, I didn't know what to expect. They could have asked me to leave. Looking back, I now know different.

How long was it before you came out to the band and the manager and the people around you? That must have been difficult
No, no, it wasn't. The lads have always known and have always been cool about it, we've always had a laugh about it. They've seen how difficult it's been for me on a day to day basis and they think 'Good on ya'. They've had girlfriends and gotten married so they understand in a way.

Understand what? The pressures of having to hide relationships from your fans?
No, no, they never did that. None of us ever had to hide. With me it was by choice but they didn't hide their girlfriends or anything like that. We broke a lot of boundaries for boybands - three of us have kids, some of us got married, all those things which don't normally happen. We broke all those barriers - you couldn't have a drink, you couldn't smoke. I don't think it could have worked for us with all those restrictions on us.

You weren't forced at all?
Absolutely not. The Sun have been great, they've really helped me. Actually all the papers. We have a very young audience and they were very sympathetic towards all of the different audiences.

Was there any point when the pressure got too much?
At the time when I decided to do the story I remember suddenly feeling that I wanted to cry. You know, I was scared. And then I thought well I can either break down and cry or stand up and be strong about things and that's what I tried to do. It's my life and you've only got one; you could be knocked down by a bus tomorrow. You should just get on with your life and try and do the best you can.

It can be difficult to come out for a lot of people...
It's very difficult whether you're a doctor, a nurse, a student, whoever you are. It can still be a real issue, even though it shouldn't be, Late at night the night before the story broke, sitting in the bedroom in a hotel myself and EIoy were watching Sky News and they said 'Lets have a look at tomorrow's papers' and there I was on four front pages which was erm... quite a shock. I'm just a normal lad from Dublin. Why is this going all over the world? It was even in The New York Post. There are wars, people dying and horrific things happening all over the world, why not try and make that better, have a look at those issues? There are more important things than someone's sexuality.

Were you scared when you did Party In The Park?
Yes I was but as soon as I got out there it was amazing. That was when I knew it would all be OK, the noise was deafening. I was so grateful for everyone's support.

George Michael, in an award acceptance speech last year, said 'I want to be seen as a singer rather than just as a 'gay singer' Do you understand what he means by that?
(Nods) I'm just a normal guy with a normal life who just happened to fall in love with another guy and I don't see what's wrong with that. I'm a friendly guy, I've been very helpful to a lot of people - I do a lot of things for charity, you know. I'm just me and that's how people should see me. (that is just most wonderful true thing Stephen has ever said. My fave quote. ~Annika)

Were you surprised at how positive the reaction was?
I got letters from all different walks of life - mums, dads, children, male, female. I got a big book with over a thousand messages from people left on the Internet, phonecalls from everybody: George Michael phoned my managers office, I got flowers from Elton John and David, Lily Savage, Graham Norton wrote me a letter and it all meant so much to me. Hopefully it won't have hurt my career that much... (He stops to pause) maybe I'll even gain some fans...

What do gay people say in their letters?
'You've done a lot for gay people and for teenagers or adults who want to come out' and that's the really touching thing - that out of something so controversial can come some good. I've had all the letters shipped out to Holland and every morning when I get up, I read two or three of them and I'm going to get through all of them. Caroline [Boyzone's press officer] has brought me another load today.

I read in Smash Hits that you got a letter from a young girl who'd had a young friend who was bullied for being gay and he killed himself. How does that affect you?
It's devastating... that bullying can come to that. You have to stand up for what you believe in and be strong. If people are knocking you, there are tons of other people out there who won't.

Were you ever bullied at school for being gay?
No. I was one of the smallest but I was friends with everyone. I was lucky.

How do you feel about being a role model to a lot of gay kids?
(He pauses to think, potential front page headlines obviously whirling through his mind). I'm just me basically. I'm just Stephen that's all I am or ever will be. I don't want to be anyone else. I just want to be happy and if I can help people in any way that's great, good. I'm thrilled I can do that for whoever it might be.

You came out to your family a year after joining the band. How did they react?
It was difficult at the time - they were shocked at first. I was one of those who believed I wouldn't be accepted. You grow up thinking 'Oh, this is the worst thing that's ever going to happen, what am I going to do?' but they were cool. They said 'We love you, you're our son' and I think they understood it wasn't a bad thing. There are a lot of worse things that could happen.

How do you plan to see in the new Millennium?
We're just going to have a nice dinner at home in Holland with both our families, and the dog. Mine are flying over. Eloy's an excellent cook. Reading's my thing, cooking is his. [Pauses] Which is handy.

It sounds like you've got it all really, haven't you?
I've been very lucky, I've been blessed. (He pauses) So, will you say nice things? What headline will you put on the cover?

I dunno. We might put 'We hate Stephen Gately, he's got it all.'
(He laughs and then looks serene as his mind drifts.) I'm really pleased with all the support I've received. I'm really looking forward to next year now - it's going to be really busy for me and hopefully successful as well. I hope people enjoy what I'm doing and see me the way I am. It's all I've ever wanted.

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