Boyzone manager Louis Walsh says he has turned down the opportunity to speak at Stephen Gately's funeral.

The X Factor judge was one of the singer's closest friends and pulled out of last Sunday's programme in order to mourn his passing.

He said he had been asked to speak at Gatley's funeral on Saturday but turned it down because he didn't think he would be able to cope.

"They asked me to get involved but I couldn't stand up,” he said. “I'd break down.”

"The emotions and nerves would be worse than any X Factor show. I don't like real life - that's why I love the pop business, it's not real.”

Walsh is understood to have pulled out of this Saturday's X Factor and is also undecided about the Sunday show.

Gately was found dead in his holiday apartment last weekend. A post-mortem found the star suffered a pulmonary oedema.

It is thought the funeral will be preceded by a private wake held at the family home on Friday.

Stephen Gately - RIP