Louis Walsh speaks at Stephen Gately funeral
Saturday, 17th October 2009.
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh paid tribute to Stephen Gately before the tragic singer's funeral earlier today.
Walsh - who is absent from the X Factor this weekend - spoke to reporters outside St Laurence O'Toole's church.
He said: "It's a difficult day but we have to say goodbye to Stephen today. And we have to celebrate his life.
"There's an incredible atmosphere in the church. His friends, his family are in there - it's what he would have wanted.
He was a great person and he never did anything to hurt anyone."
Boyzone
Louis spoke about the success his and Gately's band Boyzone enjoyed: "It was an incredible journey but we never expected it to end so quickly," he said.
"We thought we would have ten more years together as a band.
"It was his dream to be a pop star and he did everything he wanted in his life."
Vigil
He also paid tribute to the remaining four members of Boyzone - Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy - who spent the night in the church watching over Stephen's coffin.
He said: "They were his best mates, they were his family, they were the best friends in the world.
"And they knew the real Stephen, the Stephen who never offended anyone in his life.
"Today's not about famous people it's about real people.
"This is best place for him to be in the world. It is where he grew up and dreamed of being a pop star."
Busy
Walsh also revealed how he's coped with the events of the past 7 days.
He said: "I have just kept really busy. I have kept in constant touch with the other guys.
"They are my best friends and we have all helped each other cope."
Photo: Pacific Coast News
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