Ronan Keating claims the Boyzone tour in 2019 ‘all fell apart’ as his health began to suffer completely in the ‘toxic’ environmentGeorgia Burns Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer and Liam McInerney
13:58, 01 Jan 2026
Ronan Keating opened up about his anxiety struggles(Image: PA)
Singer Ronan Keating has opened up about struggling with his mental health following the final Boyzone tour in 2019, describing his relationship with the band as “toxic”. He revealed the shocking details while talking about their upcoming farewell concert at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Ronan said: “Well look, go back to 2019 when we finished our last world tour, we went everywhere, it was ridiculous, and it was a huge success but by the end of it, the last international show was in Japan, and I remember in Tokyo and Osaka, it all fell apart.
“Everything just fell apart. Everything just felt like, ‘I can’t be here anymore.’ That’s what it felt like to me, I don’t want to be part of this because it wasn’t a nice environment. I never thought we were going to get back together after that. I thought that was it.”
Despite his struggles, he was convinced to take part in a highly successful documentary with his bandmates, titled No Matter What, which eventually led to proposals for a farewell tour, the Mirror reports.
Boyzone pictured back in 1995(Image: Getty Images)
Reflecting on how the previous tour took a toll on his health, Ronan said: “A string of dates were on the table, lots and lots of shows across the country, and I have to say my anxiety went through the roof. I thought, ‘I can’t do this… I can’t. I can’t.’ I love these guys, but you know, I think when we are all together, in that environment, it can be a very toxic place, after a while it can be hard for us to be in it.”
Ronan and the other members of Boyzone – Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch, and the late Stephen Gately – rose to fame in 1993, selling millions of records in the UK alone.
When asked if things really were still “toxic” in 2019, Ronan confirmed that the pressures of fame acted as triggers that brought back the feelings and anxieties of being 17. He explained that he struggled with imposter syndrome and heightened anxiety, which made him question whether he could go through with the tour.
However, after watching the documentary, Ed Sheeran reached out to Ronan and encouraged him to reunite with Boyzone for one final tour.
This support ultimately led to the announcement of the One For The Road comeback, with Boyzone set to perform two shows at the Emirates Stadium in June 2026.
While Ronan opened up about his struggles on Virgin Radio, he was joined by his bandmates Keith and Shane, with Keith reflecting on Ronan’s earlier remarks about the “toxic” comments.
Keith revealed: “In the documentary, Ronan was explaining what he just explained, about how he felt in Japan at the end of the last tour. And I didn’t know he felt like that. I’m very disappointed in myself as part of the group where we allowed ourselves to get to a point where Ronan felt it was toxic. It didn’t feel toxic to me, you know what I mean, at the time.”
He went on to explain that he and Shane had smaller roles in the band, which had initially risen to fame largely due to the vocals of Ronan and Stephen Gately.
Keith acknowledged that Ronan was a “thorough professional,” noting that he consistently worked harder than any other member of the group.
The trio were interviewed on Virgin Radio(Image: Getty Images)
The singer, who later formed BoyzLife with Brian McFadden, added that he didn’t feel the same level of pressure on the tour, prompting Chris to comment that it was “a beautiful thing to say.”
In response, Keith said: “Well I am always honest, if it is against myself so be it. We (himself and Shane) loved the party, we loved the good time. We are on tour, we are in Japan, we are having a good time.
“Looking back, I can see Ronan looking at us going, you know, I don’t want to curse but I can imagine what he might have been thinking, and I can understand the workload, the travel, missing our families, being on tour is not always great, you do get homesick and you do miss the finer things in life.
“At the same time we are very blessed to be put in the position we are in to be successful and have fans on the other side of the world that want to see us.
“I hate the word toxic, I really do, but I can understand it.”