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RIFT: Is Mikey to go his own way?
EVA SIMPSON & BEN TODD
BOYZONE star Mikey Graham sparked fresh rumours of a rift within
the chart-topping band when he
snubbed the launch party for Stephen Gately's debut solo album.
Fellow Boyz Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch turned out
to support their pal on the
most date of his solo career.
Singer-turned-kids' TV presenter Keith even flew in from his
Dublin home to London just to be
at his pal's side.
But Mikey, 28, was nowhere to be seen, having decided to stay at
home in Ireland.
He will be going head-to-head with Stephen in the charts next
month when they both release new
singles. Stephen unveiled his track, New Beginning, at his album
bash.
Meanwhile Mikey's offering, You're My Angel, will be his first as
a solo singer.
And a press release about that track has added to the rumours of
a rift, stating: "Throughout
the six years he spent with Boyzone, Mikey remained silent and
his talent went largely
unnoticed, until he decided to perform alone on stage with his
guitar."
However, Mikey's new spokesman insisted: "He didn't go to
the launch because he's at home in
Ireland, preparing to shoot the video for his single tomorrow or
on Friday."
Pint-sized Stephen didn't seem bothered by his absence as he
partied the night away with his
boyfriend, Eloy de Jong.
Stars at the bash - which was staged, oddly enough, at a
women-only health club in central
London - included Dale Winton, Jonathan Creek star Alan Davis,
his TV presenter girlfriend
Kirsten O'Brien and Sara Cox's Radio 1 sidekick Rajesh
Mirchandani.
Speaking to AAA about his solo project, Stephen said: "I am
nervous and excited. The most
nerve-wracking time for me will be the day the single is
released.
"It feels weird doing all this without the rest of the band
after everything I've been through
with them."
Ronan, 23, whose own debut album is due out in July, said:
"Stephen's stuff is brilliant - and
the first track is a definite No1."
A spokeswoman for Stephen played down Mikey's absence, saying:
"It was a lovely surprise
when the boys turned up. He hadn't expected them, so he didn't
feel let down when Mikey
didn't come."
Yet still the rumours rage on of a rift - despite plans for a UK
tour by Boyzone next year.
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