Westlife's Gately tribute at Childline concert
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Westlife paid an emotional tribute to fellow boyband star Stephen Gately
Thursday November 19 2009
Westlife paid an emotional tribute to fellow boyband star Stephen Gately dedicating their headline show to his memory at the Cheerios Childline concert at Dublin's 02 arena last night.
The Irish popstars gave a riveting performance at their first homecoming gig since playing to 82,000 adoring fans at Croke Park last summer and helped raise €400,000 for the Irish children's charity.
And for disappointed fans who couldn't get tickets to see last night's sold-out show, the band revealed they were in talks for another gig here next summer.
But last night, the memory of the Boyzone singer -- who co-hosted the annual charity concert twice and performed at it three times -- was foremost in their minds.
Speaking to the Irish Independent ahead of last night's live show which will be televised on Saturday, band member Kian Egan said they were still reeling from Stephen's tragic death.
Fellow band member Nicky Byrne, whose own father Nicky Byrne Sr died less than a fortnight ago, said he too couldn't believe that Stephen was gone.
"Someone that age isn't supposed to die," he said.
The band also revealed that they never expected to still be at the top of the charts 11 years after they first formed.
- Allison Bray
