A new Sky documentary, "Boyzone: One For The Road," has shed light on the significant infighting and personal struggles that plagued the Irish pop group Boyzone during their reunion concerts.
The documentary chronicles the lead-up to two concerts held at London's Emirates Stadium, which served as a tribute to the late bandmate Stephen Gately. The shows featured Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and Mikey Graham, reuniting for the first time in seven years.
Mikey Graham's return to the spotlight was particularly fraught, as he had retreated from public life due to mental health issues. He admitted to feeling nervous about the reunion, stating, "It's gonna be awkward, I'm too old to be faking it for the camera." Graham had previously refused to reunite with the band, but eventually agreed to the shows. He revealed the extent of his struggles, including a difficult divorce, selling his home, and the death of his mother, which left him "emotionally crippled." Graham explained his decision to participate stemmed from a fear of living with the regret of not doing so.
Band tensions also surfaced between Ronan Keating and Keith Duffy. At one point, their argument escalated to the point where the band's manager, Mark Plunkett, had to intervene. The conflict began when Keith suggested bringing out Westlife's Brian McFadden to perform, a move Ronan felt was not in the spirit of celebrating Boyzone. "I'm struggling with that," Ronan stated. "I just want to come up and celebrate Boyzone." Shane Lynch described the band's relationship as "brothers that kill each other," expressing frustration with the ongoing bickering.
The dynamic was further complicated by Mikey's uncertainty about his participation. He described the group dynamic as "challenging" and confessed to waking up with dread, unsure of his role. Ronan and Keith acknowledged the tension this created, with Ronan admitting, "we don't know if Mikey will be there on the night." Keith expressed frustration with the "guessing game."
Despite the difficulties, Graham eventually performed, though he missed rehearsals and appeared seated for the first three songs. He expressed deep gratitude to the fans for their "unwavering support."
The documentary also touched upon the enduring impact of Stephen Gately's death in 2009. The band members spoke emotionally about his absence, with Ronan noting that "it was never the same again" after his passing and that Gately was "the glue" of the group. They expressed a desire to avoid losing another member, referencing Mikey's struggles.
Beyond the reunion, the Daily Mail also explored the stories of two original Boyzone members, Richard Rock and Mark Walton, who were replaced before the band achieved global fame. Richard Rock battled a severe heroin addiction for years before finding recovery and marrying in 2018. Mark Walton went on to have a successful career in business, reportedly becoming a billionaire, and served as a judge on "Vietnam Idol."