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Boyzone singer makes Doctor Who debut on 91Èȱ¬ 7 and records first solo song for five years
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Stephen Gately, who found fame as one fifth of pop phenomenon Boyzone, enters
the world of Doctor Who for a new radio series on 91Èȱ¬ 7 early in 2007.
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Now
making a name for himself as an actor in television, film and on stage, Stephen
plays Tommy Tomorrow, a youthful glam rock hopeful in Doctor Who: Horror of
Glam Rock.
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Stephen has even recorded a special song for the story, his first solo
track since Stay in 2001. Ìý
A horror and sci-fi aficionado, Stephen leapt at the chance to work on 91Èȱ¬ 7's
new series of Doctor Who.
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"I said yes immediately," recalls Stephen, "because
I wanted to do it - plus, if I didn't, my other half would kill me! He's such a
big Doctor Who fan."
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So what's his character like in the story?
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"Tommy," explains Stephen, "is a
musician who doesn't really gel with many people. He's very inward-looking and
writes his songs using a Stylophone. Then suddenly he starts getting messages
from beyond planet Earth."
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Stephen recorded a brand new song for the story - Children of Tomorrow - with
music by Tim Sutton and lyrics by Barnaby Edwards, who also directs the story.
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"I'm so chuffed that I get to sing a song in Doctor Who," admits Stephen.
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"That
made it even better! And it's a good T Rex style glam rock song that's quite
funky."
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Director Barnaby Edwards says: "Stephen's vocals on Children of Tomorrow are breathtaking.
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"He's a great singer, as everyone knows, and his range is just
fantastic but I've never heard him sing as powerfully as he does on this song.
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"He pulled out all the stops for us and the results are superb.
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"We were
delighted when he accepted the role," he continues.
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"Stephen's got that rare
blend of charm and talent. He turns in an excellent performance and was a joy
to have in the studio."
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Once Boyzone disbanded, Stephen moved on to pursue a successful solo career as
both an actor and recording artist.
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In 1999 he provided the voice for
Blackavar in the animated TV series of Watership Down and in 2003 he opened a
revamped Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the West End, playing
the title role.
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He then took over the role of the Child Catcher in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2004-05) to great critical acclaim.
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Stephen has
recently completed filming a horror movie called Credo, due for release in
2007.
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For Doctor Who: Horror of Glam Rock, Stephen is joined by an impressive company
of actors.
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In addition to Paul McGann as the Doctor and Sheridan Smith (Two
Pints of Lager, Grown Ups) as his companion Lucie Miller, the cast also
includes Clare Buckfield (2 Point 4 Children), legendary comic actor Bernard
Cribbins and the inimitable Una Stubbs.
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Doctor Who: Horror of Glam Rock, 91Èȱ¬ 7, Sunday 14 January 2007, 6.00pm
and midnight
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Notes to Editors
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Doctor Who: Horror of Glam Rock will be released on CD in March 2007.
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EH
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