Ronan Keating is set to welcome in the New Year with a major dose of 90s nostalgia as he reunites with former Boyzone bandmates for a special BBC celebration.
The 48-year-old presenter, who rose to fame as a member of the pop group responsible for hits such as Love Me For A Reason, Words and No Matter What, will be joined by a host of high-profile guests for a night of live music and celebration. Keating will front a brand new BBC One show, Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party, which promises an evening packed with live music, surprise collaborations and iconic hits. As part of the festivities, Keating will be joined on stage by fellow Boyzone members Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch for a one off performance that is sure to delight long time fans.
The appearance comes ahead of a highly anticipated full Boyzone reunion next year, when the group will return for a special stadium concert — their first major show together since their sold-out run at the London Palladium in 2019.
Boyzone, formed in 1993, originally featured Keating, Duffy, Lynch, Mikey Graham and the late Stephen Gately. Over the years, the Irish pop group became one of the UK’s most successful acts, scoring six number one singles and five chart-topping albums, and of course being heart throbs for their fandom.
Adding extra sparkle to the New Year’s Eve broadcast is former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, who recently finished third on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. Her appearance is expected to bring a theatrical edge to the night’s celebrations.
Music fans can also look forward to appearances from a range of well-known artists, including Louise Redknapp, formerly of Eternal, who will perform hits such as Naked, Arms Around the World and 2 Faced. Singer songwriter Calum Scott, best known for the emotional anthem You Are The Reason, will also take to the stage.
The programme will incorporate the live broadcast of London’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks before the party continues into the early hours, ringing in 2026 with more performances and celebrations.
Boyzone originally split in 2000 as members pursued solo careers, before reuniting seven years later. Keating, in particular, enjoyed huge success as a solo artist, topping the charts with songs including When You Say Nothing At All from Notting Hill and Life Is A Rollercoaster.
The BBC has made New Year’s Eve music specials a tradition in recent years, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor hosting a disco themed celebration in 2024....and this year’s show looks set to raise the bar once again.
