BOYZONE'S DAY AT
TOP OF THE POPS

8.45am
Brrring! Alarm calls for all the boyz. "If you thought we were up at the crack of dawn for our breakfast TV appearance this morning you were wrong!" laughs Ro. "We pre-recorded the performance yesterday!"
10am
The Boyz zoom down the Thames on a police launch! "We have to do some filming in Buckinghamshire," explains Stephen, "and it's the fastest way to get us there so we're back in time for TOTP!"
2.30pm
Arrive at the show! Stephen and Ro shout hellos down the corridor at some blokes holding trombones and trumpets. It turns out they're part of Boyzone's backing band because, for the first time ever, the Boyz are playing the show completely live. An even-browner-than-usual Keith follows quietly behind. "Ohhh, I've not slept for three days," he wibbles. "I've been on holiday in the Caribbean and have been travelling back since Monday!" Mmmm, strange that Keith, considering it only takes eight hours to fly back from Barbados.
2.32pm
Strange bloke with dreads arrives. Everyone ignores him. One minute later Boyz realise strange bloke with dreads is actually Shane. Hugs aplenty all round. "It's me real hair, honest!" he grins. "Hey, cool!" says Shaggy, who's just done a turn in the studio. "I'd love a hat like that."
2.45
Boyzone pile on stage to rehearse Picture Of You. Stephen practises tricks with full glasses of water and there's general mischife making from the others. "Not me!" squeals Mikey. "I never get up to mischife!" Yes, and Stephen never spills a drop of water! Hmmm.
3.30pm
Thumbs up from the TOTP producer means the lads are free to rush off for a quick TV interview with the O-Zone, which is to be filmed in a mock-up of Eastenders Dot Cotton's lounge. "Oh, can I come?" asks Shaggy longingly.
5.30pm
After signing autographs at the gate, Keith disappears for a haircut. "I'd be ashamed to appear on TV without a trim!" he cackles.
6pm
A huge nosh-up ( except for Stephen ) in the BBC canteen is followed by a quick trip to the TOTP bar, which results in Stephen bumping into Noal Gallagher at the bar. He returns to the Boyzone table with a huge grin on his face and a selection of rather rude jokes. "Did I tell you the one about......?" Ahem.
8pm
Time for a quick band photo before the boys are due on stage. "Hey, can I have my picture taken with you?" says Shaggy who happens to be hanging out in the corridor. Unfortch, Mikey has popped of to the loo, so a Shaggy friend steps in to fill his place. ( Either that or Mikey has sprouted some hir extensions! )
10pm
Phew! The performance is a success and the lads leave for a quiet night in - except Ro who's off to see his old mate Del Amitri in concert. "I havn't seen them in ages," he grins. After several hours spent catching up on old times, Ronan shuffles back to his hotel mumbling something about an early morning TV call. Bah! Bet it was a pre-record!


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