Louis Walsh says Boyzone need time to mourn

X Factor judge and band manager Louis Walsh has said that Boyzone are under no pressure to return to work following the death of bandmate Stephen Gately.

The group’s manager told the Evening Herald that Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch will be granted as much time as they need to mourn the loss of their friend and fellow singer. Loius said “they have lost a brother in Stephen and right now they are hurting. Coming back isn’t something that one member of the group can decide on their own, it has to be a group decision.

Walsh was asked about whether the group’s next album will go ahead, continued: “I know they were working hard on the new album and that Stephen had recorded a few tracks for that. But it would take a lot of work to finish off, and if and when they do that it will be as a tribute for Stephen.”

Walsh also commented on rumours about the band may perform a tribute to Gately on The X Factor, by saying that no decisions have been made. Would you like to see Boyzone on the X Factor? Tell us your thoughts? To read more on this story go to digitalspy.co.uk.