Boyzone announce UK tour

Reformed pop group Boyzone have announced a UK tour.

Ronan Keating, 30, Stephen Gately, 31, Shane Lynch, 31, Mikey Graham, 35, and Keith Duffy, 33, will kick-off their tour next year.

The Irish band, who split seven years ago, have reunited to play at BBC Children In Need on Friday.

Frontman Keating said: “We’ve been talking about getting back together for some time now.

“The Children in Need rehearsals just made us want to tour together again.

“I can’t wait to be back on the road and all the guys feel the same. Our live shows were always great fun but this time it will definitely be the best night out ever.”

The launch date at London’s 02 Arena on May 30 will be the band’s first concert for eight years.

Formed in 1994, Boyzone had six Number Ones in the UK and sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.

By reuniting, they follows in the footsteps of Take That and the Spice Girls.

Boyzone got back together after Keating resolved his differences with former manager and 'X Factor' judge Louis Walsh.

The singer sacked Walsh as his manager in 2003 because he believed they did not share the same vision for his solo career.

After Boyzone split, Duffy appeared in 'Celebrity Big Brother' and landed a role in Coronation Street, while Lynch appeared on Celebrity Love Island.

Boyzone are playing a medley of their hits on 'Children in Need' night on Friday, while the Spice Girls will perform their new single 'Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)'.

:: The dates:

MAY 2008

30th LONDON, 02 Arena

JUNE 2008

1st LONDON, Wembley Arena

3rd NOTTINGHAM, Arena

6th CARDIFF, International Arena

11th BIRMINGHAM, NEC

13th MANCHESTER Arena

15th LIVERPOOL, Arena

17th NEWCASTLE, Arena

19th SHEFFIELD, Arena

23rd GLASGOW SECC