Boyzone’s Keith Duffy loves his home life

Boyzone’s Keith Duffy has had his share of adoring female admirers, but the one fan who really matters is his daughter Mia.

“She loves all of Boyzone’s music and listens to the albums at home. My son loves to come to the live shows but for a different reason all together he likes the female audiences!”

As a result of Mia’s autism, Keith has worked for a number of charities raising money to tackle the condition.

“It hasn’t affected our family in any way as we have never known any different. Mia is our beautiful girl and we love her and Jay just the same. In fact, I’d say Mia’s autism brings a little magic to our family.”

One of his fondest memories as a member of Boyzone is of a visit to the SECC in Glasgow which involved their children.

“We used to stay in a hotel called One Devonshire Gardens and I remember one time after we played the SECC, our families were staying and we had taken over whole hotel.

“Instead of drinking and mayhem we were all in our PJs playing Pictionary with our kids and I remember looking out of the window and there were nearly 100 fans in the snowy conditions outside singing Boyzone songs. We sat in the window with our kids looking out at the fans singing and it was just amazing, a very special memory.

“We always love performing in Scotland though, it’s always amazing. You guys make the best audiences.”

The band’s latest recording, Dublin to Detroit, is Boyzone’s first themed album and includes tracks by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes.

Keith explains the appeal of the music.

“I think the music from that era is beautifully timeless. They are classics, they’re the songs that I remember growing up listening to, songs that my parents played in the house.

“To have the chance to go into the studio to record some of these timeless classics ourselves was a great opportunity.”

More than two decades after the boys first got together, Keith admits he didn’t realise the success they were heading for.

“When we first got together I didn’t think we’d be performing five years later, never mind 21!” he laughs.

Having come through the experience in one piece, he has some wise words for those dreaming of a career in music.

“I think the only advice I’d pass on to anyone starting in this business is very simple try and enjoy every moment of your success and make sure you treat people the way you’d like to be treated yourself.”

Although the band could be forgiven for taking things a little easier in later years, Keith says they still give it everything.

“Our stage performances are just as intense today as they were 20 years ago maybe things were a little more choreographed and staged years ago, but we still work as hard today.”

He admits that, five years after the death of Stephen Gately, his presence is still strongly felt within the band.

“Stephen’s death was devastating to all of us in the band. However we have found that the more time we spend together, instead of missing him more, we find that it brings back more memories of Stephen. So being with the rest of Boyzone is even more special now.”

Keith says the band will carry on performing “for as long as we keep getting away with it” and, although he was originally heading for a career in architecture, he now can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I don’t think architecture would have worked out I like to think I’d still be in the entertainment business in some form, maybe as an actor.

“Acting is a real passion of mine and I love performing. I spent time on the stage in London last summer working on A Pocket Full of Stars and have recently been in The Job Lot.

“You never know, I may even return to the cobbles one day in the future!”

While some successful pop stars splash the cash on things like fast cars and helicopters, Keith’s biggest indulgence reveals a lot about his priorities.

“My biggest indulgence was buying my family home and, as the family home is where you spend most of your time and build all of your memories, I don’t regret it for a second!”

From Dublin to Detroit is out this week