In 2008 following his solo career and various bouts of acting and television appearances, Gately rejoined his old colleagues when Boyzone reformed, following the success of revived contemporaries Take That.
Gately had been the most eager to reform and urged his bandmates to come together again.
They sold out two more tours of the United Kingdom.

Boyzone released a brand new single, "Love You Anyway", followed by a new compilation album in October 2008.
December 2008 saw the release of a second new single, "Better".
The video for the song generated controversy, as scenes depicting romantic couples included a shot of two men embracing, in an inclusive nod to Gately's homosexuality.
The group unanimously agreed that Gately should be allowed to pair with a male actor.
It was condemned by, among others, the minister of the Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Others, however, cite that milestone as among the reasons why Gately is a "gay rights hero".
Wrote Tim Teeman of the Times Online, "Gately showed that an unflamboyant guy could be a pop star and gay...the real shame should be reserved for those managers and showbusiness power-brokers who practise that kind of discrimination, and also maintain the closet, to line their pockets."

At the time of Gately's death the group had selected thirty songs which they intended to record for a new album to be released in 2010.
This was to have been followed by a tour.

Gately's vocals will feature on Boyzone's final album, in a song called "I Can Dream".
A video of the song was released on 15 June 2018, featuring images of Gately and Boyzone.
 The album is due to be released on the 16 November 2018.
In 2008 following his solo career and various bouts of acting and television appearances, Gately rejoined his old colleagues when Boyzone reformed, following the success of revived contemporaries Take That. Gately had been the most eager to reform and urged his bandmates to come together again. They sold out two more tours of the United Kingdom.
Boyzone released a brand new single, "Love You Anyway", followed by a new compilation album in October 2008. December 2008 saw the release of a second new single, "Better". The video for the song generated controversy, as scenes depicting romantic couples included a shot of two men embracing, in an inclusive nod to Gately's homosexuality. The group unanimously agreed that Gately should be allowed to pair with a male actor. It was condemned by, among others, the minister of the Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church. Others, however, cite that milestone as among the reasons why Gately is a "gay rights hero". Wrote Tim Teeman of the Times Online, "Gately showed that an unflamboyant guy could be a pop star and gay...the real shame should be reserved for those managers and showbusiness power-brokers who practise that kind of discrimination, and also maintain the closet, to line their pockets."
At the time of Gately's death the group had selected thirty songs which they intended to record for a new album to be released in 2010. This was to have been followed by a tour.
Gately's vocals will feature on Boyzone's final album, in a song called "I Can Dream". A video of the song was released on 15 June 2018, featuring images of Gately and Boyzone.  The album is due to be released on the 16 November 2018.
Stephen Gately