Interview from Top Of The Pops Aug '99

We managed to get his Irish mates Westlife to reveal their most embarrasing stories so, STEPHEN GATELY, now it's your turn!

Have you ever embarrassed yourself in fromt of a friend's parents?
Oh yeah, lots of times. Once I was invited to a friend's house for dinner. They'd laid on a really big spread for me and although I'm not really that fussy normally I couldn't stand the way they'd cooked! I didn't have the heart to tell them so I ate as much as I could, all the while gulping loads of water to try and take the taste away. They guessed whay I was doing and took the mick out of me about it. I just went really red!

Is there one thing you've done in the past that you really regret?
There are lots of things which I look back on and regret, but I'm not telling anybody about them!

Have you ever woken after a big night out to find traffic cones in your room?
No traffic stuff! I normally just find I big hangover!

Have you been caught out telling lies?
Oh God, yes! I was suppose to be going to the pictures with one of me mates and I'd already been to see it the day before with Ronan. I'd been telling my mate that I'd never seen it before and how i was really looking for ward to it. When we got to the counter to pay it was the same cashier that had served me the ight before. He looked at be and said, 'God, back again! You must really like this movie!' I was trying to make eyes at him to be quiet but he was just smiling at me oblivious to what was going on!

Ever been sick in public?
Oh yeah! I used to all the time when I was younger. I really can't travel well on coaches. Even now if I don't sit up in the fromt I'll be heaving. If I drink and then travel I get into a right mess! It can be a bit tricky because we spend a lot of time in our tour bus. Everyone else can relax but I have to sit up in the front!

Describe your most embarrassing hairdo...
Well, I've had the same haircut now for about six years! I've had it really short and I've worn it up. I've never had any dodgy perms before, I suppose the worst was when I was younger and I wore it really tight to my head like everyone did back then.

Have you ever had your clothes fall off or come undone on stage?
Yes, I have actually! I was wearing black trousers and white pants and I went for it a bit in one of our routines. Even over the music I heard this 'Rrripppp!' I was dancing straight on to the audience like this (dances with his hands over his backside) - the boys in the band were in stitches!

Have you ever dressed up as a woman?
No!

Now c'mon, you know that's not true!
Oh, you're right! Me and the boys dressed up as the Spice Girls on Live & Kicking (if you want - you can see the picture ~Annika). I was Sporty Spice. They wanted me to be Baby Spice but I wasn't having any of it y'know. I looked at the little dress the wanted me to wear and then looked at the track suit and went, 'Hmm, I think I'll be Sporty!'

Where's the most unglamorous place you've kissed?
The most unglamorous place I've kissed? It's got to be the docks in Dublin. It's really industrial with loads of cranes all over the place and concrete and people working. Not at all glamorous or romantic!

Do you get any embarrassing letters from your fans?
Yeah, I do get a few bad once now and again. They're asking me to get things for them or do things for them. They are always like, 'can you do this, can you do that.' I wouldn't like my mother to see them!

Do you ever have to deal with people in the business that you don't like?
Yes, lots of times. I'm not going to name names but there are a few. Some people can give you a bit of a hard time and say things but you get on with it, it comes with the job. That said, there are a lot of more nice people who are a pleasure to work with.

What's the worts thing you've ever done to a younger relative?
These are horrible questions! I don't think I've done anything really nasty to any of them. Probably just given thema slap round the head.

What would be your 'freak or unique' trick?
Oh, I've seen some of those tricks, they make me feel sick! I don't know if I've got any I can do, I'm not double-joined or anything. I think I would go on and sing a song. Hopefully that would make me unique, not a big freak! Don't worry, Steve! You ARE unique :o) ~Annika

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