TV Hits Interview April 1999

What effect has Ronan having a baby had on your life?
It hasn't had a major effect on me - it's had more of an effect on him! I'm very happy for him and really looking forward to seeing the baby - I'm really, really excited about it! I was thinking about the whole thing the other day, and I decided to get him a really nice present for when the baby arrives, so I bought him a painting. What, a posh one? Hmm, quite posh... There's a father at the top right, a mother bottom right, and a child in the middle - it's quite arty, and it's really lovely.

What will you be doing while Ronan's on maternity leave?
I'll be working, just the same as I have been over the last month or so. Ronan hasn't been doing that much lately - he's been spending most of his time with Yvonne, just in case anything happens. He didn't want to be away in case she went into labour and he missed anything!

What other projects have you got planned?
Going to the studio, writing and singing - trying to get some new songs together. It's been good, really nice. I've mainly been concentrating on songs for the whole band, but there are a few I think'd be really good for me. I've also had a go at co-producing and lots of stuff like that. Scanty enough, this is our sixth year as Boyzone, so in that time I've met up with lots of different producers, and you kind of pick things up as you go along. I can't believe that this is our sixth year - it's mad!

So when are you going to be conquering America, then?
I don't know what the story is there. to be honest. I'm sure we're going back this year, but it keeps changing - the date keeps being moved because we've had so much to do in England and the timing hasn't been right. We were supposed to go this month, but we had to stay to promote the Comic Relief single.

Are you prepared to start from the beginning again, doing all the quirky interviews and stuff?
I think we're going to go over there and let people know what we've done and achieved in other countries, so we won't have to start at the very beginning again, it's good timing for us as the pop market's really opened up over there, what with Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.

What's going to happen after the greatest hits album and tour?
A fourth studio album - that's what I've been getting stuff together for. I know everyone thinks a greatest hits album means the band's getting ready to split up - that's usually what happens and you never hear from them again. But we're definitely working on our fourth album - I promise!

So who chose When The Going Gets Tough for Comic Relief?
It was a joint decision. It was presented to us along with a number of other songs and we thought, 'Why not?' It fits the cause, really. I actually remember it from the first time round and I watched the original video last night.

What about the dance routine - you haven't done that kind of thing for a while...
It was very simple, nothing major - we're basically just moving our hands around! I really enjoy dancing and performing, so it was fine for me.

What other charities are you involved with?
We do a lot for children, cancer and Aids charities. We try and do as much as we can, especially for children - you know, we visit hospitals, do photo-shoots for charities and we're all very involved in the Make A Wish Foundation, where we visit a lot of very ill children.

Who's your fave comedian?
I like French and Saunders, and I like Jo Brand as well - I think she's really funny. I've met them all and they're really nice people - very friendly. I was on a TV show with Jennifer Saunders a few weeks ago and she had her three kids with her whore really big pop fans.

So who's the comedian when it comes to Boyzone?!
We all have our days! I mean, Keith's really funny and constantly makes us all laugh with the things he comes out with, and Mikey can be really funny, too! To be honest, we've all got some comedy bits in us!

What's your funniest Boyzone memory?
It must be something we did on stage - I mean, I've fallen over quite a few times which is really funny. There was one time I was mid-dance on a TV show and my legs got all caught up and I was stumbling round like a right eejit - the others were all creased up!

Have you ever laughed so much you've actually wet yourself?
No, I can honestly say I've never wet myself -I think that's more of a girls' thing!

When was the last time you found yourself giggling uncontrollably?
I never really get fits of giggles where I can't stop, to be honest. But I do love having a good laugh, you know - when it's non-stop laughter and you get a stitch in your side. That's really funny!

Have you ever laughed in church when you shouldn't have?
Oh yes, lots of times! Loads of people laughed at me actually, when I dropped the collection box once! I was about 13 and the priest was saying Mass, which of course is a very serious, quiet time - and I dropped the box! All the money dropped out and rolled round the floor - I had to crawl around on me 'hands and knees to pick it up with everyone looking and laughing at me!

Do you laugh at those Jeremy Beadle, embarrassing - sitch type programmes?
Some of them I do. A lot of the animal ones - I love 'em. And the baby ones - they're dead funny and quite nice and cute. They make me laugh the most, just because they're so hysterically sweet!

Tell us your funniest joke...
Oh, I know some really rude ones! Now, let me see... (thinks for a min). Yes, here's one - there's two cows in a field and one cow goes to the other (doing very good cow-like impression), 'Mooo!' And the second cow goes, 'I was just going to say that!' Not really funny enough though, was it?! (we'll let you off for the top cow impresh, though!)

What's your favourite funny show?
Father Ted - I love it, I think it's absolutely hilarious -I wonder if it's an Irish thing?

Is it hard to make you laugh?
Not at all - I'm a very jolly, light-hearted person and it doesn't take an awful lot to make me giggle. I enjoy a good laugh, it's good for the soul a smile works wonders. (It sure does - esp. when it comes from you, Stephen :o) ~Annika)

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