First things first - tell us about Godspell?

It's based on the Gospel according to St Matthew, but it's updated in that it brings in certain aspects of what's happening in the world now. It features biblical characters and I play Jesus. It's got loads of great songs which people will recognise, Day by Day which was a huge hit and Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord and it's quite rocky so it's different for me, which is why I wanted to get involved in it. It's going to be a great challenge.

How did you land the role?

I was asked to do it and initially I didn't think I was going to be free. But it's such a great show that I really wanted to do it and in the end it all worked out thankfully.

How do you prepare for going on tour?

I read the script over and over and over and I make sure that I understand it 100 per cent. Then I learn how to deliver the lines, as they should be, in terms of what emotions are behind them. It's so different singing musical songs to being in Boyzone and singing pop songs, but that's why I love it.

What do you enjoy most about travelling around the country when you're performing?

Staying in nice hotels, seeing great cities, finding great restaurants and seeing friends. I've got friends in Glasgow and Manchester and some other places so it will be fun to catch up with them on this tour.

What do you miss when you're on the road?

I really miss my home because I love my house. And I miss my Shitsu Bentley. I'm lucky because a lot of family and friends come and visit me while I'm away, which is always lovely.

Do you party a lot when you're on tour?

I'll always go out during rehearsals because it's a great way to get to know the cast - I think it's important to vibe with them. But generally I have to be really professional when I have a show the next day because being on stage can be really demanding. But it's fine to go out the night before a day off because it doesn't matter if you have a hangover!

What made you decide to go into musicals initially?

I studied acting before I joined Boyzone and I've always wanted to get back into it, so combining singing and acting in musicals is the perfect thing for me.

Some people were surprised when you played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, weren't they?

Definitely, but I wanted to do something that people weren't expecting of me. Everyone saw me as the cute one from Boyzone and I wanted to prove that I could play evil. I did the show for six months and I loved it.

What's been the highlight of your theatre career to date?

I did a community production of The Wizard of Oz in Canterbury playing the Scarecrow. There were 75 people on stage each night and it was such a great team. I had such a laugh. I did Cinderella in Bromley as well which was really fun, and I loved doing The Play What I Wrote in London. The show was never the same twice and you always had a good time.

Who have you enjoyed working with acting wise?

Christopher Biggins. He's such a laugh and really cheeky. We did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang together and he had this amazing dressing room next to mine that was decorated like a French Boudoir, and we used to have tea in there during the interval. He'd always try and make me laugh on stage as well. He was very naughty.

Having played Joseph in the past, what did you think of Any Dream Will Do?

I think Lee is going to be really good, but I'm not 100 per cent sure about him even though he has a great voice. I thought Ben was really cute and he could have played the role with a lot of innocence. And I liked Craig too, but he has the looks but not the voice. I think overall those kind of shows are a really good way for actors who have been on the scene for years to get their break.

Have you ever had any on-stage nightmares?

Yes! When I was in playing the Child Catcher I used to get pulled up in the air in a net at the end of the show each night, but one night something went wrong and I was suspended in mid-air. I had to wait until the audience left until someone could get me down. Luckily the audience thought it was part of the show. I also really hurt my head on a plastic palm tree when I was playing Joseph. I knocked into it and I had to have six stitches. I had blood dripping down my face for most of the first act, but I just had to get on with it!

There are loads of rumours about Boyzone getting back together what can you tell us?

Well we are all very busy with other projects at the moment, but we do keep in touch and It's certainly something we have talked about and I'd love it to happen, so at this stage I think I can safely say, 'never say never'.

Stephen Gately stars in Godspell at The Palace Theatre, Manchester, from September 24 to September 29. Tickets cost £10-£25 and are available from www.palaceandoperahouse.org or by ringing 0870 401 3000.