Boyzone star Mikey Graham has said that training for the TV series 'Dancing on Ice' has helped him following the death of bandmate Stephen Gately.
The Press Association reports that Graham said of the show: "This has really acted like a life raft... to get myself really focused on the skating helps me keep my mind off it."
He added: "You get moments when it just hits you like a ton of bricks. You get used to talking about it and then other moments it stabs you in the heart."
Gately, who died in October, took part in the ITV skating show in 2007.
"It's nice to hear some pleasant stories about the time that Stephen had here, he was very well liked by all of the crew and the coaches, which isn't hard to believe," said Graham.
Graham said that he did not know if Boyzone would tour again.
"On the one hand it would be nice to go on tour and do something, but we wouldn't know whether it was the right decision until we get there so we'll just wait and see," he said.
"It would be emotional, there's no doubt about it. It would be extremely difficult because we haven't been on stage together since Stephen passed away."
Boyzone's new album, which features two songs Gately recorded before his death, is due out later this year.
The new series of Dancing on Ice begins on ITV on Friday.
