Why did Boyzone split as new Sky documentary uncovers iconic Irish boyband's history

Iconic Irish boyband Boyzone is the subject of a new documentary series on Sky which covers the highs and lows of the band.

Boyzone: No Matter What covers the boyband during the peak of their popularity and features archive and new interviews with Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch as well as manager Louis Walsh

The documentary tells the story of Boyzone, who enjoyed massive success in the UK, with 21 singles in the top 40 and 22 in the Irish charts. They had six UK No.1 singles and nine in Ireland.

The three-part series will feature exclusive interviews, backstage footage and their reaction to the sudden death of Stephen Gately. Their split in 2000 is a hot topic in the band and among fans but how did the boyband split and why did they reunite?

Why did Boyzone split?

Following the release of their greatest hits album By Request in 1999, Ronan Keating released his first single, a cover of When You Say Nothing at All.

The single was a huge hit thanks to its inclusion on the Notting Hill soundtrack and later on his debut album Ronan.

Both the single and album were a huge success, with both landing him Number 1 in the single and album charts, and this led to tensions within Boyzone.

Due to arguments, fatigue and wishing to pursue solo careers outside of the band, the group agreed to go on hiatus after their tour.

Ronan Keating arguably enjoyed the most success as a solo artist with multiple Number 1 singles and albums. He has also appeared judge on the Australian version of The X Factor, The Voice Kids UK and his own breakfast show on Magic Radio.

Keith went into acting, landing a role as Ciaran McCarthy in ITV soap Coronation Street over two stints. Shane also had an acting career, as well as appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Cirque De Celebrity, Celebrity Masterchef and Love Island.

Michael Graham made some low-key acting appearances, appeared on Dancing on Ice and unsuccessfully attempted to be Ireland's pick for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010.

Stephen Gately did not have a successful solo career, but he enjoyed a thriving second career in the West End where he appeared in musicals such as Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The boyband later reunited in 2008 for a comeback tour in the UK and Ireland, with all five members together again.

On October 10, 2009, Gately died suddenly at his flat in Port d'Andratx, Majorca from a pulmonary edema resulting from an undiagnosed heart condition.

The remaining bandmates came together to release their planned album earlier in March 2010 and dedicated the album Brother to Stephen.

Boyzone has performed on various tours and concerts since, with three more albums released. Their eighth album in 2018, Thank You & Goodnight, served as their final album and they toured one final time.

By the end of the tour in 2019, the band felt their latest run came to a natural end and Ronan Keating was upset with Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy's drinking and behaviour towards the end of their touring.

The Irish Mirror reports Mikey firmly states that he has no desire to return to Boyzone or reunite with Ronan, Shane, and Keith.

Ronan also previously admitted he hadn't spoken to Mikey in years, with Mikey himself confessing he didn't want to "waste my future looking back at my past."

He remarked: "I haven't seen anybody since that night [last show]'. "I wish them the absolute best in their lives, I wish them nothing but happiness. I hold no grudges, no animosity, nothing.

"However, I don’t want to go back to how I felt for many years. To see them for too long would remind me of that and my future is way too important to me to waste it looking back on my past."

Rumours continue to speculate Boyzone will reunite for another tour, but this has been unconfirmed.

Boyzone: No Matter What comes to Sky Documentaries and NOW on Sunday, February 2.