Boyzone to reunite for first UK tour in 7 years

LONDON, Nov 14 (Reuters) Boyzone are reuniting for their first UK tour in seven years, Ronan Keating announced today.

Keating, who left the Irish boy band to pursue a solo career, said he and the other four members of the group decided to tour after rehearsing together for a one-off charity performance to be broadcast on Friday.

''We've been talking about getting back together for some time now,'' Keating said on his Web site www.ronankeating.com.

''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.'' The tour will kick off in May at London's O2 Arena and end in June in Glasgow.

Boyzone, featuring Keating, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy, was formed in the early 1990s.

The group behind hits including ''Words'' and ''A Different Beat'' are the latest 1990s act to get back together.

Take That have already been on a successful tour, despite performing without former member Robbie Williams, while the Spice Girls return to the stage in December.

REUTERS PY HT2030