Boyzone: No Matter What, : The Truth Behind Success.

Editor Stephen Hill 30th January 2025 

In the gripping three-part documentary *Boyzone: No Matter What* on Sky Documentaries, we are taken on a rollercoaster journey through the highs and lows of the iconic Irish boyband. 

One of the most poignant moments unfolds when Louis Walsh, the band’s manager, watches with unsettling delight as a tabloid newspaper forces 23-year-old Stephen Gately to publicly come out as gay. 

Gately, who passed away in 2009, had kept his sexuality hidden, burdened by the fear of how it would impact Boyzone and shaped by a Catholic upbringing in a notoriously tough part of Dublin.  

As the documentary unveils the front page featuring Gately’s revelation, his sister, Michelle, breaks down in tears. Ronan Keating reflects on that time as “heartbreaking,” while the other band members express their sorrow: 

“The poor little fella, he was so afraid,” says Shane Lynch. Yet, Walsh’s reaction starkly contrasts the compassion of the bandmates; he gleefully exclaims, 

“World exclusive! Wow, I love it. He got the front page!” 

This shocking moment reveals the darker side of the entertainment industry.  Walsh, who assembled Boyzone in 1993 as Ireland’s answer to Take That, watched them rise from modest beginnings to phenomenal success—five number one albums and 25 million records sold. 

However, their journey was not without its struggles, including squabbles, jealousy, ruthless management, and the weariness that comes with relentless touring. Tensions were often heightened by one standout member: Keating, whose charisma sometimes eclipsed the others.  

While *Boyzone: No Matter What* shares some familiar stories covered in the BBC’s *Boybands Forever*, it offers a deeper exploration through the lens of this particular group's dynamics. 

There were certainly fun moments and, one would presume, financial rewards. Yet, the real intrigue lies in the interpersonal relationships within the band. 

Mikey Graham emerges as the talented singer-songwriter who, despite his skills, grappled with feelings of inadequacy. 

He recalls glancing at concert crowds and noticing countless posters for his bandmates—except for “the odd one” dedicated to him.  

The harsh reality of their early days is underscored by a producer's remark dismissing Keating’s singing talent: “Get rid of the blond one. 

He can’t sing.” Yet, Walsh recognized the marketable charm of Keating and Gately, positioning them at the forefront to attract teenage fans. 

In a heart-wrenching twist, Graham reveals how this caused a deep-seated insecurity, compounded by Walsh's neglect, as the manager reportedly didn’t speak to him for seven long years. 

Now, Graham cuts a somber figure, choosing not to join the remaining band members for a reunion at the documentary’s conclusion—though he keeps the door open for a potential comeback.  

*Boyzone: No Matter What* offers a candid, heartfelt glimpse into the inner workings of one of Ireland’s most beloved bands, airing on Sky Documentaries on Sunday, February 2, at 9pm, and available for streaming on NOW