Boyzone have paid tribute to the late bandmate Stephen Gately ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

The Irish boy band gave their first public statement as they prepared the fly the late singer's body home to Dublin from Majorca.

"Stephen lived life to the full and thoroughly loved being centre stage. We're sure he's looking down on us now,” singer Ronan Keating told reporters.

Keating, who was flanked by his remaining bandmates, also thanked the band's fans - but he cast doubt over Boyzone's future.

He said: "What the future holds is too hard to think about. Nothing will ever be the same without our dearest friend Stephen."

Boyzone's Ronan Keating delivers statement flanked by his bandmates.

Boyzone are due to spend Friday night in St Laurence O'Toole's Church in Dublin with Gately's body.

They will also carry the late singer's coffin along with two members of Gately's immediate family at his funeral.

Gately's friends and thousands of fans are expected to attend the mass, which begins at midday.

The 33-year-old singer was found dead in his apartment in Majorca last weekend. A post-mortem showed Gately had suffered a pulmonary oedema.

Stephen Gately - RIP