In a bittersweet turn of events, legendary Irish boyband Boyzone reunited publicly for the first time in seven years — but noticeably absent was Mikey Graham, who has not spoken to the other members in over five years.
Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, and Shane Lynch came together to celebrate the premiere of their upcoming Sky documentary series, No Matter What, which reflects on the band’s journey from their early days to the present. The docuseries includes appearances from Mikey, but he chose not to attend the London screening, having distanced himself from the music industry and his former bandmates.
Ronan, 47, opened up during the event about Mikey’s absence, acknowledging the emotional weight of his decision not to be involved. “It’s hard that Mikey is not here,” he said. “It was his choice not to be here, and we all respect that. He’s proud of the film and sends his love — but it was easier for him this way.”
Now living a quiet life in rural Ireland, Mikey has candidly expressed in the documentary that he has no interest in returning to the spotlight. Describing the music industry as “toxic,” he reflected on his past struggles and shared that revisiting old dynamics could bring back feelings he has worked hard to move past. “My future is far too important for me to waste it looking back,” he said.
While the other three members smiled and embraced at the premiere, there was an underlying sense of loss, particularly when they paid tribute to late bandmate Stephen Gately, who tragically passed away in 2009. Keith Duffy wore a red leopard-print shirt to honor Stephen, revealing that red was his favorite color. With tears in his eyes, Keith admitted he still feels a deep sadness when speaking about their beloved friend, affectionately known as “Steo.”
The documentary doesn’t shy away from the group’s turbulent history. It explores personal conflicts, including the friction during their 2019 farewell tour — where tensions reportedly ran high. Rumors have circulated for years about clashing personalities, particularly between Mikey and the others, leading to separate dressing rooms and ongoing strain. Keith admitted that “cruel” things happened, though he didn’t go into detail. Mikey, for his part, simply said he “wanted to get out.”
Despite these challenges, No Matter What is described by Ronan as an “honest” and sometimes “harrowing” portrayal of the band’s rise and fall. He admitted the filmmaking process was emotionally taxing, but ultimately necessary. “There were times I thought I was making a mistake by doing this,” he confessed. “But I knew the truth needed to be told.”
Looking back, Boyzone’s story is one of phenomenal success, deep friendships, painful loss, and growing apart. As fans prepare to watch No Matter What, the absence of Mikey Graham is a reminder that even in the world of pop stardom, some wounds take time to heal — and some chapters remain closed for good.
