WHO Magazine, Australia - November 22nd 2004 issue

He's still only 27, but Dublin-born former Boyzone heart-throb Ronan Keating has notched up a decade in the music biz - and released an album, 10 Years of Hits, to mark the milestone. He gets in the zone with Di Webster.   BY DI WEBSTER.  Posted Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004

Congratulations on the album. Does the fact you've been around for 10 years shock you as much as it shocks me?

When I think about it, yeah, but the early days in the band feel like another lifetime, you know? It feels like such a long time ago, but it's gone by very fast at the same time.

On the album you sing a duet with Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam). How did that friendship come about?
Cat came down to Top of the Pops about eight years ago, when Boyzone first recorded "Father and Son," and we became good friends. We kind of hit it off and we stayed in touch. One thing led to another, and basically when I came to be making this album I called him and said, "Are you up for doing it?" and he said, "Yeah." There wasn't any persuading, thank God.

He was refused entry to the US a few weeks ago. Did that surprise you?
Yeah, it shocked me greatly. He's a very peaceful man. He's a gentleman - a very kind, generous man. I can't imagine why that would happen. I didn't understand it. I haven't spoken to him about it yet. I'll let him find his time and his thoughts, and when he's ready to talk about it to me he will. I'm sure it was a mistake.

A spelling mistake, I believe.
Is that what it was? OK, I didn't know that. I do know they asked him for autographs when they also turned him around and told him to go back.

At 27, you're married with children, you're playing golf and working for charities. Do the words sex, drugs and rock and roll mean anything to you?
(Laughs) Yes, they do. I guess I started young at 16 years of age and you kinda get that out of the way early, you know.

You're Irish, for goodness sake, Ronan. You must like a drink ...
Oh, absolutely. Too much, that's the problem.

What's your tipple?
That would be Jack Daniel's.

Now I know you were very fond of your late mother's cooking. Can I talk you into sharing her bread- and-butter pudding recipe?
If I knew it, I'd tell you. I don't know what it was. It died with her. Her bread-and-butter pudding and her chicken curry were second to none. I've tried to re-create them, but it hasn't been possible.

But you've become quite a foodie in your travels, haven't you?
I love to eat - I love food and I love trying new restaurants. I keep a little book of where I eat and whatnot. It's a nice thing to do.

Where do you stand on shows such as Idol?
I'm not going to knock these young fellas and young girls who are doing it, but the shows are pretty heartless and soulless. These guys and girls are built up and given a career that lasts only a year, because they get the next show on the road and strike a line through the previous act. It's terrible. I feel really sorry for these girls and young guys because the TV show is going to replace them with their next big thing. It's disposable pop, I guess.

You were working in a shoe store when you got the gig with Boyzone. Do you still wake at night screaming?
(Laughs) It's not so bad now, but I saw some horrendous things in my day, for sure. Everything you can imagine on a foot. n