‘It didn’t take long for us to get totally wrapped up in the fantasy . . . Engaging, exciting and imaginative, this is a delightful read’ ***** (Heat )

‘A fitting tribute to a star who dared to dream’ (News of the World )

‘This imaginative book is reminiscent of the Narnia tales and reads like an instant classic. Roll on the movie.’ ***** (Star )

‘A great read whatever your age . . . it’s brilliant’ (Reveal )

Huge thanks to everyone who has bought the book so far. The Tree Of Seasons is available through Amazon and all other good online and High Street booksellers.

More than 15,000 copies of the book have been pre-ordered — 10,000 in Ireland and 5,000 in Britain — according to publishers, Hodder and Stoughton.

If the pre-orders are anything to go by that would put the book straight in at number three in Ireland.

A spokesman for the publishers said yesterday.

“Stephen was so loved in Ireland that, predictably, interest in his book has been huge, we think it may be one of the biggest children’s titles this year.”

“The story is a really involving one, creating a detailed imaginary world along the lines of Narnia. I realised straight away that it deserved to be published in Britain as well as here, so I urged our parent company in the UK to take it on.”

The last few pages of the book were completed by Stephen’s partner Andrew and by the Irish writer June Considine, who is a sister of well-known author Dermot Bolger.

The book tells the story of three British children who live near a forest where they discover a tree that is a doorway into a magical and dangerous world. There are four kingdoms in that world, each forever stuck in spring, summer, autumn and winter.

The book is published in hardback today.

We’ve added a page to the site today dedicated to Stephen and summarising just some of the many things he achieved, including his book, The Tree of Seasons which will be published in May.

We all miss him.

Ronan said today:

The Boyz and I are overwhelmed with the album going to No.1. We owe it all to our audience as you are the people that have stuck by us and believed in us from day one. It is Steo’s birthday today -Paddy’s Day- and that makes this feel all the more special. Thank you.

Read more in the Daily Star >>

The event will take place at the Palace Theatre and will be attended by some 1,000 friends, family and fans the concert has been organised by Stephen’s partner Andrew. Stephen’s parents Martin and Margaret and siblings Michelle, Mark, Alan and Tony are expected to be there along with the rest of the boyz.

The evening will be hosted by actor and entertainer Christopher Biggins and will feature singers including Beverly Knight, Liz McClarnon, Lee Ryan and Chesney Hawkes, along with the cast of West End musical Joseph, in which Stephen starred. Actor Sir Ian McKellen will read a poem.

Tributes are also expected from Cherie Blair, and comedians Paul O’Grady, Matt Lucas, Graham Norton and Alan Carr.

The above sentiments have been echoed by the head of national charity, Caudwell Children. The charity has spoken out in praise of the thousands of fans who have made donations in memory of Stephen.

Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, for whom Stephen was a Goodwill Ambassador, said: “Everyone at the Charity is deeply touched and grateful for the overwhelming volume of fans and well wishers who have made donations in memory of Stephen.”

“This outpouring of kindness truly reflects Stephen as a person, someone who always wanted to help and please others. With heartfelt tributes and donations continuing to come into the Charity, Stephen’s memory will now live on in the life changing donations we are able to make to children who desperately need our help.”

The national charity, which provides specialist equipment, life saving treatments and therapy for sick and disabled children, was chosen by Stephen’s partner, Andrew Cowles to receive donations instead of flowers following his death.

Since the announcement, the Charity has received over £22,000 in donations from fans, friends and well wishers of the star. Every penny of the money received will be used to pay for donations to children living in the UK.

As a couple, Stephen and Andrew had attended numerous events in support of the Charity and Stephen had been officially named as a Goodwill Ambassador last year in recognition of the work he had done.

Stephen was also a close personal friend of the Charity’s founder, philanthropist John Caudwell and partner, Claire.

The Charity is now in talks about a potential memorial for Stephen and has confirmed that he will remain a Goodwill Ambassador for the Charity in memory of his work.

Mrs Beswick continued: “My heartfelt thanks go to everyone, right across the World, who has sent a message of support or donation to the Charity. It is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.”

You can still donate to the charity at Stephen’s Just Giving page.

We would also like to say a massive thank you to An Garda Siochana for all they have done for Stephen.

Father Declan, we have managed to spend time with you over the past few days and there is no finer man to give this service today, thank you.

We would personaly like to thank Mark Plunkett and the Gately family would like to thank Gerald Keane for all they have done over the past week for Stephen.

Stephen was Born on the 17th of March 1976 (Paddy’s Day). He very quicly established himself as a performer joining the Gaiety School of Acting and also entering and winning many dance competitions across Ireland.

It was not until he joined Boyzone though in 1993 that people realised Stephen was a force to be reckoned with.

At the auditions for the band, Stephen asked Louis, whom he loved and looked up to, ‘How tall do ya have to be to be in Boyzone?’. He was worried that being 5 foot 7 was too short . But in latter years, while auditioning for The Hobbit, he said he was 5 foot 3… so we never really knew how tall he was. I dont think he did either but he was a giant of a man in our hearts.

A true performer full of life and spirit.

A true friend full of love and friendship.

Believing in joy, compassion, love and equality.

Stephen loved being in BZ, he found an outlet for his passion and four friends & brothers who understood who he truly was.

Also a lover of everything Disney, Stephen would make frequent visits to Disneyland. Everyone knew Steo loved Mickey Mouse.

After four years and tremendous courage, Steo became a pioneer in showing young people it was OK to stand up for who you are and what you believe in. So many owe him so much for what he did.

The five of us created are own little bubble of humour and security and we were always there for each other, through thick and thin.

The break up of the band in 2000 was hard on all of us. Stephen found musical theatre to be his calling and enjoyed lead rolls in some of the great West End shows.

But his true passion and love was the band and he longed for it’s return.

He found this time difficult but along the way found true love with Andrew and together they navigated through the good and the bad times.

It was Andrew that helped Steo become to blossom into the man he always believed he could be.

Together they enjoyed life in London making so many great friends and being part of the vibrant London West End scene .

Stephen’s love for Andrew was true and only last week he told me how lucky he felt to have him by his side.

Stephen and Andrew took up residence in the leafy suburb of Highgate in London were they made so many great friends including Phylis ‘the Butcher’ whom he loved and laughed with daily.
But Steo always kept in touch with his family at home in Dublin, making frequent trips home to see his Mam and Dad, sister Michelle & her family and his brothers Tony, Mark and Alan & their families.

When we visited Margaret and Martin this week, we enjoyed listning to some of the stories of Stephen’s past. We realised that he doesn’t lick it off the ground! They were so alike in so many ways, it was truly like speaking to Steo.

He loved his Mam and Dad so much and spoke of them regularly. He loved the fact that they were the life and sole of every party, as Steo himself became.

In 2007 we reunited, something we had all longed for for some time.

Steo found a renewed passion for what he knew best – performing.

With an audience Stephen came alive. He became truly himself, he brought colour to the band that now simply feels black & white without him.

Behind the curtain Stephen was deeply private and guarded but we were lucky enough to see through that and get a glimpse of the warm, honest, gentle loving man he was.
Stephen loved to laugh and by God did we laugh! We had the most unusual sense of humour… If he were here right now he would say, ‘hey Ro, I’m looking for a stained glass window, if you see one around let me know!’

He had nick-names for all of us. Keith was Kitty, Shane was Shanice, Mikey was Mikeala and I was Rosaleen. Of course, he was Stephanie.

He loved it when we were all together laughing and joking. He provided us with so many funny lines throughout the BZ days, some you may have heard and some in this house I can not repeat!

We were the campest straight band we knew (except for one fella… and he knows who he is)! That is why Steo always felt so comfortable in Boyzone. He thought he was the best camper in the world… He was’nt even the best Camper in the band! Isn’t that right, Duster?

He was so excited at the prospect of the new BZ studio album. He called me last Friday, after recieving a bunch of new songs, saying how much he loved them, saying lets go lets go lets go!

He was putting the finishing touches to his first book, ‘The Tree of Seasons’. There are a few pages left and by hook or by crook, those who loved him and there are so many in this room, will help finish it.

We now pray for his guidence and spirit to show us the way.

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I say that the world has lost one of its brightest stars, we have lost our brother and I have lost my wing man.

He will live on in the songs and whenever us four are together. His spirit is alive so, for Steo, we will carry on but it will never be the same without him.

A beautiful man who is now the perfect angel… forever young and never forgotten.
A man, a friend, a brother, a son, a husband and a hero.

We are going to really miss ya brother, we love ya pal and we always will.

We know you have found peace, perfect peace.”

He was there with his partner, Andrew.

At present we don’t have too many details. The rest of the boyz will be travelling to Majorca later this morning.

The awards are to celebrate unsung heroes and will be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday 7th at 8:00pm.