August 2004 News Leann Rimes on Ronan Keating LeAnn Rimes loves the UK so much that she didn't hesitate in snapping up the chance to work with ex-Boyzone hunk Ronan Keating.
"He was amazing to work with. He's become one of my close friends now. Ronan has a great talent, not only is he a brilliant writer but also a good singer too. Some artists can be a little bit difficult to work with but he wasn't."
Regent's Park reviews added - Thanks to Karen! and Gabriellla
Viking FM Party in the Park Photos added
Sun Exclusive: Ronan Keating on his shock collapse interview added
RONAN'S THE MAN IN DEMAND
This is Hull - August 27th 2004
The stars of the pop world rolled into town for Foxy and Tom's Big Bash last night and JESSICA BOULTON and KATY WOOD were there to catch every bit of the action
Inside a small white tent in East Park surrounded by security was one of the most wanted men of the night.
Wearing a red leather jacket and his eagle-emblem t-shirt, Ronan Keating was having a much needed few minutes out before he takes to the stage.
Everyone from Girls Aloud to our own Dan Bryan was keen to meet the former Boyzone star, but for the man himself the only people who
mattered were the crowd.
Speaking to the Mail before he went on stage, Ronan still seems like an excited starlet - rather than a 10-year showbiz veteran.
"I'm honoured people come to see me perform," he says. "I like doing big festivals and parties where I can perform live. It is very important to me."
Ronan eased in his vocal chords ahead of his one-hour live session. Only the Sugababes have followed his example and ditched the backing tracks.
"As much as possible I like to perform live," he says with a smile. "That's what people are here for really."
Ronan, who was to sing his new song I Hope We Can Dance for the first time, was just three tents up from Brian McFadden's dressing room where the ex-Westlifer is jamming with his band. Surprisingly there was no hostility between the two, despite Brian quitting Ronan's band.
"Brian is a good lad and I am behind him," said Ronan. "I definitely made the right decision to leave Boyzone. The others are all very happy in their own worlds as thousands of fans have a night to remember in the park
and we keep in touch. Shane called me today just to check in, in fact."
Speaking about the mystery bug which put him in hospital in Portugal, he said: "I had been working too much. I had a normal bug but my immune system was wrecked and it knocked me out. It took me 10 days to get better. My eyes were stuck together and I looked like I had gone 10 round with Tyson."
Ronan, who admits to being a George Michael fan, may be hard-working but he is forever modest.
Speaking about once arch-rivals Take That, he said: "They were the top band.
"We could never compete with them. They stepped down and we took over." Back to top
Ronan is confirmed to be appearing with other artists at the Royal Albert Hall for ASDA's Tickled Pink Charity Concert
ASDA Presents a 'Girls Night In Live' in Support Of Breast Cancer Care Featuring George Michael, Geri Halliwell and Friends Live At The Royal Albert Hall.
ASDA is proud to announce that one of the world's leading international artists, George Michael will appear at The ASDA Tickled Pink 'Girls Night In Live', in support of Breast Cancer Care. The event, in association with Five (Channel Five), will be aired on the 25th September 2004, as part of ASDA's National Girls Night In for Breast Cancer Care.
The event will feature performances by George Michael, Geri Halliwell Patron of Breast Cancer Care and Jamelia, further international and UK artists will be announced in the lead up to the live event.
All profits from ticket sales will go straight to Breast Cancer Care, the UK's leading provider of information and support to people facing
breast cancer.
Tickets for this event are now sold out. Back to top
'MY KNEES HAVE GONE'
This is Hull - August 27th 2004
 They say you can't put a price on fame, but you definitely couldn't put a price on the look on Helen Arnold's face when she clapped eyes
on her idol.
As Ronan Keating made a suave and sophisticated entrance into the meet-and-greet tent, the competition winner was beyond excitement as she declared: "That's it, my knees have gone."
Helen, 38, of Marfleet Lane, east Hull, has been a fan of the Irish charmer since his Boyzone days and has all the memorabilia to prove it.
As she smiled from ear-to-ear during her limited time slot, Helen proudly handed over her own present to Ronan.
She said: "I gave him a little ornament with a four-leafed clover to say good luck for the future.
"He said thank you and promised to look at it later.
"It was absolutely fantastic and I couldn't breathe properly because I was shaking so much.
"It really was a dream come true for me and I couldn't believe I was stood next to him. Back to top
MY DREAM TICKET This is Hull - August 26th 2004
Tonight's the night when the biggest names in pop will descend on Hull. As excitement builds, Jessica Boulton meets the woman who will
be sharing drinks with Ronan Keating
Big Bash: Our lucky competition winner will join 20,000
fans for star-studded concert in East Park
FOR BIG BASH
ACROSS the city right now, about 20,000 people are preparing for Foxy & Tom's Big Bash - the chance to see some of pop's top acts.
Among them is one very lucky woman, who has more reason than anyone to be excited about the evening ahead.
Nursery nurse Helen Arnold, 38, has been a Ronan Keating fan since she first saw him on Top Of The Pops with Boyzone in 1993.
And now, thanks to the Mail, she will have a chance to meet him.
While Helen is certainly no teenybopper, few could be more starstruck about their luck.
"I just do not know what I am going to say to him," she said.
"It depends on whether my legs and knees have turned to jelly by the time I come face to face with him. I adore Ronan."
Helen was on her way to work at a play scheme for disadvantaged children in the Boulevard, when she got a call telling her she had won
the Mail's competition to meet Ronan at tonight's bash in East Park.
"I thought they were winding me up," said Helen, of Marfleet Lane, east Hull.
"I couldn't stop giggling. The people on the bus will have been wondering what was wrong with me.
"I have no idea what I am going to wear. I shall have to go out and treat myself to a new miniskirt."
Young-at-heart Helen first stumbled across Ronan when Boyzone emerged on to the pop scene in 1993, when she was 27.
She always liked the sound of his voice but also thinks he's gorgeous.
"He's lovely," she said. "And his voice is so soothing. I love If Tomorrow Never Comes.
"I've got all his CDs right back to Boyzone and their videos. I love watching the old ones and seeing how the boys have changed.
"I was distraught when they broke up in 2000."
Helen is such a big Ronan fan she has a secret file in her cupboard, bulging with magazine and newspapers cuttings about the singer.
But one of her biggest regrets was she has never seen him play live.
"I cannot believe I am going to see him," said the mum-of-one.
"I want him to sign all my CDS. "I've had a tough year with one thing and another but this has really boosted it."
Helen is also hoping to take daughter Lisa Payne, 18, who has just passed her AS-levels.
Helen has a VIP pass so if she can handle any more star-gazing after meeting her idol, she may even catch a glimpse of other performers including Brian McFadden, Blue, Girls Aloud, Sugababes and Darius.
"I was too nervous even to eat my breakfast," said Helen.
"I'm so grateful to the Mail." Back to top
Ronan to appear on Parkinson on September 11th! Ronan will be appearing on Parkinson on Saturday September 11th. - Visit the Parkinson website Back to top
Diary 26th August 2004 Steve Harley Diary
 A fine night at Northants. Ronan and I had pix together - have sent one to Dave for this site - and chatted about...the weather! Well, I'd just flown in from Menorca and he lives in Portugal, so the English summer, with its cloud and breeze and all-round air of uncertainty (tried getting a large-scale al fresco party organised in recent years? Fingers crossed for days on end) is, as ever, a topic of any conversation.
BUT...we talked music, too. I'm a fan. Ronan picks good tunes to cover and writes well himself. He is canny, smart and likely to be around
for as long as he wants. But his audience, and many of the 20 thousand or so were his, got me working all right! It's been a long time, friends, since I played to a gathering that large of fawning teenage girls. A long time. But we scored a goal eventually. I thought it was down to my stage presence and great charm, but my son, who came with me, reckoned I broke the ice and won them over "because you swore. They thought you were cool." Who knows?????? But any way you can, you do. Back to top
Ronan will be taking the controls on Magic 1054 FM on Sunday 29th from 5pm - 8pm for his 'Star Selection' Back to top
Munster Cycle Tour in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation Back to top
'I Hope You Dance' lyrics added Back to top
Greatest Hits album news www.ronankeating.com Ronan will be releasing a greatest hits album in just a few weeks time.
10 years of Hits will celebrate a decade of Ronan. From his first top hits with Boyzone in 1994, right through to his recent smash duet with LeAnn Rimes on 'Last thing on my mind'. Ronan has remained at the very top of his game for 10 years, selling more than 17 million albums across the globe!.
10 years of hits features all of Ronan's best-loved singles, including his first ever solo number one 'When you say nothing at all', alongside 'Life is a rollercoaster' and 'If tomorrow never comes'. As well as exclusive new recordings of Ronan's favourite tracks from his
five years with Boyzone.
 Also featured on the album is the beautiful new single 'I hope you dance'. The single is being released in conjunction with ASDA's Tickled Pink Campaign, with all profits from singles sold in ASDA stores across the UK going to Breast Cancer Care.
'I hope you dance' will be with us on 27th September, while Ronan Keating 10 years of hits is released on 11th October.
Stay tuned to the site for much more on these exciting new releases coming soon. Click on the Tickled Pink ASDA logo above to vist the Breast Cancer Care website and find out more about the campaign. Back to top
10 years of hits celebration To celebrate the upcoming release of Ronan's 10 Years of Hits album, Century FM and Ocean FM are putting together a very special series of radio shows - and they need your help to do it!.
A major feature of these Greatest Hits shows will be the memories Ronan associates with each particular album track, as well as the memories of his fans. This is where you come in: if you've got a story about what a particular song means, Century FM and Ocean FM want to hear it.
It could be anything from associating the track with the birth of a child, to getting married to starting a new job - the more original the better!
Ronan will read the best anecdotes himself on the show, which hits the airwaves in October.
So if you've been there since the start and would like to share your story on tracks including 'Life Is A Rollercoaster', 'When You say Nothing At All' and 'If Tomorrow Never Comes', send an email to:
ronankeating@warwickworldwide.com
The closing date for entires is 30th August. Good Luck! Back to top
Magical moments with Ronan - Congratulations to Claire! Back to top
Northampton Balloon Festival Photos BBC Northamptonshire  | |  | | BBC Radio Northampton winner Claire Evans (right) | | Ronan signed a few autographs for his fans | | and her mate got to meet Ronan backstage before | | | | his concert | | |
© Biritish Broadcasting Corporation Were you at the Northampton Balloon Festival? Send your reviews to BBC Northamptonshire - Click here. Read some of the reviews here Back to top
Win tickets to Ronan's very exclusive gig! Blackpool Today - August 21st 2004
HOW do you fancy the chance of getting up close to...Ronan Keating?
 We have a fantastic prize up for grabs courtesy of radio station Magic 999. One lucky Gazette reader and guest will get the chance to see Ronan in concert at a secret location in London on Sunday, August 29. The gig is very exclusive and only a handful of invited guests will attend this special performance to celebrate Ronan's 10 years of hits. Tickets for the show are not on sale to the general public. The prize also includes travel and overnight accommodation in a top London hotel, all courtesy of Magic 999.
Supergroup
Former Boyzone heart-throb Ronan lit up Blackpool when he became the Lights switch-on star in 2002. Some 20,000 people gathered to watch six-year-old heart patient Kirsty Howard help Ronan pull the lever to turn on the Illuminations. Ronan split up from the successful Irish supergroup in June 1999. His solo career has seen him continue to top the charts with hits such as When You Say Nothing At All from the hit film Notting Hill and Rollercoaster. Magic 999 (formerly Red Rose 999) broadcasts hits non-stop to the whole of Lancashire.
To enter the competition is simple. All you need to do is tune into Magic 999 over the next few days, let us know your favourite song that was played and the time you heard it. Then call The Gazette competition line on 09013 801 404 leaving your name, address and daytime contact number along with the name of the song and the time it was played. It's as easy as that! You can enter as many times as you like. Phone lines will close at 9am on Tuesday, August 24. Gazette rules apply. Calls cost 25p. Back to top
 LeAnn Rimes is looking forward to catching up with her old friend Ronan Keating when she plays Belfast's Waterfront Hall next month.
The Grammy Award winner with the Patsy Cline twang is hoping Ronan will join her on stage for a rendition of their Top 10 single Last Thing On My Mind.
"Ronan's a really good friend and it would be lovely to have him join me at the Waterfront," she said.
Back to top
Irish pop stars like Ronan Keating and Jim Corr could soon be sporting new rock 'n' roll fashion designs courtesy of Belfast artist Terry Bradley.
Belfast Telegraph - 20th August 2004
 The former model, who divides his time between Belfast and Dublin, is branching out into the fashion trade, lending his unique and funky style to a new range of jeans, coats, skirts and shirts.
The father-of-three is hoping to launch the range next year, after showing his latest art collections in Ireland and Marbella.
Terry said: "I used to paint jeans years ago and I'm always being asked about doing a range of clothes, so I thought 'why not?'
"The clothes I'm doing for men will be really rock 'n' roll, the type of thing I'd like to wear myself.
"And, hopefully, I'll get Ronan and Jim Corr to wear the range too."
Irish linen will be used in the new designs, with Terry's signature faces emblazoned on jackets for men and longer coats for women.
"It's a really exciting time for me right now," said Terry.
"I've an exhibition of new work coming up in October in the Market Bar in Dublin, then one in Belfast's Ten Square.
"After that, I'm off to Marbella, then, hopefully, the clothes range will be launched early next year. Back to top
'Last thing on my mind' has entered the US Adult Contemporary Billboard Charts at no. 20! - Click here Back to top
Taste the music for free!
M.E.N. Arena
 In conjunction with Carlsberg, the M.E.N Arena is offering 10 pairs of VIP tickets to a choice of concerts, one of which is Ronan Keating's concert, of course, at the M.E.N Arena on December 19th 2004.
Winners will be drawn each month, on August 27th, 30th September and 29th October. Prizes are subject to Availablility at time of booking and due to the natue of the prize, winners must be 18 or over. No cash alternatives will be offered.
To enter, register your details (you will need to register if you haven't already done so)
The free prize draw is also being promoted through Carlsberg outlets in the North West Back to top
 See Ronan live in London - at a secret gig!
A Magic 105.4 exclusive
See Ronan Keating live in London - the most Magical event of the summer - at a secret venue!
These are tickets that money cannot buy
To win, make sure you're listening to the More Music Breakfast Show next week, for your chance - the ONLY chance - to join Magic for this exclusive secret gig..
And see Ronan Keating singing 'ten years of hits' - exclusive to Magic 105.4.
Back to top
Buy Power+ Alkaline Batteries and help the Marie Keating Foundation in their fight against Breast and other Cancers Back to top
Harpers & Queen Magazine fashion Special - The wild ones 
Back to top
Ronan Hopes to Dance into No1 - The Irish Daily Star 14th August 2004
Pop star Ronan Keating hopes to woo chart success again next month when he releases the romantic new track I Hope You Dance.
The former Boyzone star will include the cover of Lee Ann Womack's American hit as one of the new tracks to feature on his greatest hits album.
He will release the single on September 24 in Ireland while his 'best of' album is scheduled to be launched here on October 8.
Keating's new album will feature 11 of his own singles, two new songs and three re-recordings of Boyzone chart hits.
Baby Can I Hold You, Picture of You and You Needed Me are tipped to be the Boyzone tracks on the new album.
Keating appears to be making a move back to being a romantic crooner after the success of his hit She Believes in Me earlier this year. Back to top
Marie Keating Foundation seeks volunteers Back to top
DEMAND SOARS FOR FAIRTRADE - Ruki Sayid - The Mirror - August 14th 2004
CONSUMER power can put tremendous pressure on supermarkets to change their way of thinking.
Just 10 years ago, few businesses would have lost sleep over workers in the developing world who toiled for a pittance while fat cats creamed off the profits.
But since 1994, the Fairtrade Foundation - backed by a host of stars from Chris Martin, Ronan Keating and Honor Blackman - has helped to raise awareness.
Shoppers are now having their say and buying with their hearts and minds. This year, we're expected to spend £6million on Fairtrade products - a 90 per cent increase on two years ago.
The Co-op has long been in the forefront and sells many of the 250 Freetrade items available.
A lot of the teas, coffees, juices and sugar stamped with the logo may cost a few pence more but around 500,000 farmers and factory workers now have better lives because they're guaranteed a fair price.
"It helps the farmer and his family buy things we take for granted, like medicines and shoes for our kids," says a spokesman.
For info, log on to www.fairtrade.org.uk Think of it as guilt-free shopping. Back to top
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Ronan to appear in British Comedy Little Britain?  Matt Lucas as Dafydd |
Ronan Keating is hoping for a role in the BBC's award-winning cult comedy Little Britain, returning soon for another series. Apparantly Ronan is keen to play a friend of Matt Lucas's camp character Daffyd - the "only gay in the village!" To visit the Little Britain website click here Thanks to Lynda! Back to top
Harpers & Queen fashion special  Harpers & Queen Magazine
Editor's letter
When we were putting together the stories for this, our first big fashion issue of the season, a sense of spirited romance was in the air: from the gorgeous Chloé dress worn by this month’s cover girl, Liya Kebede, to the fashion featured in ‘The wild ones’, in which we take you on a whirlwind tour of Ireland, catching up with some of the country’s finest talent, including actors Cillian Murphy and James Nesbitt, Ronan Keating and film director Jim Sheridan along the way.
Back to top
The Pilot for Shelltown will be premiered at the MIPCOM TV festival in Cannes on the 5th Oct and if you are going to one of Ronan's concert's this year we will be showing the pilot there.
Bernard Sparkes
Managing Director Thanks to Lynda! Back to top
Ronan is a Hit in US-Top 20 success for Keating - Kathryn Rogers - The Irish Daily Star Pop star Ronan Keating is enjoying US success this week-his single has entered the top 20 National Airplay charts.
The former Boyzone star reached No20 this week with his duet with American country queen LeAnn Rimes.
Their single The Last Thing on my Mind moved up a notch from No 21 after weeks moving up the US airplay charts.
The track, Ronan’s biggest success in America to date, is now playlisted by 85 radio stations in the US.
Keating and Rimes scored a No4 hit with the single in the UK when it was released in May this year.
And the track soared to No10 in the Irish charts.
The video for the single was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I think it’s important to do duets and collaborate with other artists,” Keating said. “She’s a wonderful artist, a great talent.
“I think it’s important to work with other artists.
“People look upon you differently and see you in a different light.”
He said he targeted Leann because he loves her voice.
“She has a beautiful voice and I love the country sound she brings to the song,” he said. Back to top
Ronan will be performing at a concert in Barcelona on October 20th 2004  
Click on the Aida logo below then click on 01 -22. Oktober Back to top
New single in September! Polydor Island (DE) Ronan will release a new single on 27th September 2004. 'I hope you Dance' is a cover version from Lee Ann Womack's third album. Ronan's Greatest Hits Album will be out on 11th October, with 11 Top 10 Solo songs and contains 3 remakes of Boyzone songs, plus 2 new songs. Thanks to Janina! Back to top
Ronan confirmed to perform at the RIX FM Festival 2004
Rix FM
 Since finishing his year long sell out Destination world tour in May last year Ronan has been writing and recording for his new album "Turn It On". Ronan made a serious commitment to the writing of this album and made all the decisions when it came to whom he would work with.
"Turn It On" will demonstrate to both fans and critics just how far Ronan has come, both as a vocalist and songwriter, since the release of debut solo album in 2000.
Ronan has enjoyed chart success for 9 years now, which is far more than most artists ever achieve. He has sold in excess of 17 million albums across the globe … and all this by the age of 26! "Turn It On" marks a major new chapter in Ronan’s career. 2004 looks set to be yet another incredible year.
Ronan is confirmed to perform at this years RIX FM Festival 2004 on September 4th in Stockholm, Sweden and Alcochete Arena, Lisbon Portugal on 11th september. Back to top
From the Top of the Pops website 
At least we can rely on Ronan Keating for the clean-cut catalogue model look Back to top
The Irish Daily Star Sunday - August 8th 2004
Ronan Bitten by the Comedy Bug-Keating's Sense of Humour
Ken Sweeney
Who says Ronan Keating doesn't have a sense of humour?
The Goss can exclusively reveal that the kind-hearted singer donated €10,000 of his own money to help a promising Irish comic bring her one-woman show to the Edinburgh Festival.
The cash was handed over after comedienne Sheila Hamilton (30) bumped into the pop star at top Dublin celeb hang-out Renards.
Sheila told The Goss : "I was out one night with friends on a real bender. Sometime late in the evening, we ended up in Renards.
"The club was really packed and one of my mates asked me to do something from my act, so I just started doing it there and then. Her pals loved it and-unbeknownst to Sheila-she had another fan standing nearby.
"I was aware someone else was watching and laughing at my jokes, but I never bothered to look down to see who it was.
"The next thing he was walking up to congratulate me on. I nearly died when I realised it was Ronan Keating."
So the ex-Boyzone star asked Sheila if he could see her gigging in Dublin.
"That's when we got talking and I told him nothing was really happening with my career.
"I explained that to get anywhere, I'd need to get my one-woman show to the Edinburgh Festival-but I didn't have the money to go over."
Before he disappeared back to his table, Ronan gave Sheila his address and asked her to post him a DVD of her act.
Sheila continued: "I just thought he was being nice and I did send him the DVD but I didn't think I'd hear anymore about it."
But Sheila, who had a sell-out run at the Olympia Theatre last year, was amazed a few days later when a courier arrived at her flat with a letter from Ronan.
She revealed: "There was ten grand in it and a note from Ronan saying, "Sheila, Go to Edinburgh and give them hell!"
With the finance in place, Sheila secured a top Edinburgh venue for a month-long run of her stage sketch-show My Granny is a Leprechaun.
Sheila's show opened at The Café Royale in Edinburgh on Friday night to rave reviews and looks like being the surprise hit of the
festival.
All thanks to Ronan Keating!
Thanks to Regina! Back to top
Read about the sound system that was used for Ronan's Destination Asia concert - Dubai in 2003 in our November 2003 archives - click here Back to top
Bikers to raise funds for breast cancer Back to top
Listen to a German interview with Ronan during the promotion of 'She Believes In Me" - click here then click on laB horen on the left menu, then on the next page, cick on '22.02.2004 Ronan Keating schaut im Studio vorbei"   
More photos - click here Thanks to Janina! Back to top
Ask Ronan a question BBC Northamptonshire
 He's one of the biggest singing stars in the world. Ronan Keating will perform on the Saturday night of this year's Balloon Festival. We want you to ask him a question.
BBC Northamptonshire is giving you the chance to ask Ronan a question you've always been dying to ask but never had the chance.
It can be something funny, deeply personal, musical or whatever, but we'll pick the best of the entries to put to the man himself. Thanks to Karen! Back to top
CHANCE TO HANG OUT WITH RONAN
This is Hull - August 5th 2004
 He's pop's blue-eyed boy with handfuls of awards and millions of album sales to his name.
And now you can share the stage with superstar Ronan Keating.
The Mail is offering one reader the opportunity to hang out backstage with the former Boyzone heart-throb at Foxy and Tom's Big Bash 2004.
And if just meeting the singer is not exciting enough, the winner will also accompany him on stage so they can watch his performance from the wings.
All you have to do to be in the running is answer three questions, appearing in the Mail today, tomorrow and Friday, and send them in by the closing date of August 23.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 25, in the Mail - the day before the East Park show.
Whoever it is, one thing is for sure - the entire 30,000-strong crowd at the Viking FM and Hull City Council gig will be green with envy.
Blond-haired Ronan has captured the hearts of millions of girls since he first hit the charts with Boyzone's Love Me For a Reason in the mid- 90s.
Breakfast DJ and Mail columnist Foxy said: "If you are a Ronan fan, there will be no better feeling than getting to speak to him face-to-face.
"And then the winner gets to come on stage in front of thousands with me and Tom. How can you top that?"
The winner will also be able to mingle with top acts backstage including the Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Blue and Natasha Beddingfield.
Five runners-up will win Ronan Keating prize packs and tickets.
You can also buy tickets for £7 by calling 08701 219 969, logging onto www.aloud.com or going to HMV in Whitefriargate or Viking FM in Commercial Road.
All profits go to the station's children's charity For The Kids. Back to top
Drinking stories interview added Back to top
Ronan is No. 52 in Company Magazine's top 100 sexiest men. 
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