Ronan Keating worried mother over career direction

Ronan Keating's mother thought he was joining a cult when he said he wanted to be a musician.

The Boyzone singer admits his mum Marie Keating was shocked when he revealed his future plans, and was convinced he had been brainwashed by a strange sect.

Referring to Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, Ronan said: "My mother thought I was joining a religious cult when I said I was joining a pop band. There was no such thing as boybands in Ireland, so when I was hanging around with Louis Walsh and these four other lads, she had no idea what was going on!"

Boyzone split in 2000, but decided to reform in 2007.

Ronan has revealed he and his bandmates - Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch - are better adjusted to fame since their comeback.

He explained to Britain's Heat Radio: "It was overwhelming before, now I'm taking it in my stride. And it s wonderful to work with the guys, not taking ourselves too seriously.

"We wanted to be cool back then and be Oasis, not Boyzone. Now we're very happy being Boyzone."