Ok I'm gonna try and remember everything that happened at the show...it could possibly not quite all be in the right order but i'll try and cover everything that was talked about.

Right well like last time it all started with an email from the people at Graham Norton asking if I can help them out again with info on Stephen etc and I could come and see it filmed again if I wanted. Finding out it was on Tuesday was not the best timing it could be as I was down to see the show on Saturday (for my mum's birthday - she wanted to take the whole family to see it - dont think either of my brothers wanted to go really, but both my brothers and parents were greatly impressed with the show and Stephen's performance - they managed to talk about how good it was all the way home. That's deffinately saying something if they are willing to admit it as they are 16 and 22. Steven my older brother decided it was so good that he actually asked to come and see Graham Norton with me and go to the show again too!).

So anyway on Friday morning I had been in Durham in lectures at Uni, in London on Saturday, home to Dorset on Saturday night / Sunday and then back to Durham Sunday afternoon...nice long day of 6 hours of lectures on Monday followed by a pyjama bar crawl (don't ask! its a student thing...) so I was back on a train to London again on Tuesday with a slight hangover. As Steven (that's my older brother) wanted to see the show again (I was hardly going to complain) after Graham Norton if we could make it in time, I picked up some half-price tickets on the way to the TV studios from Leicester Square - got front row on the aisle which was good. So we finally made it to the studios, got put in the VIP line, I asked if it would be possible to escape at the break when Stephen does, as I had tickets to the show but unfortunately that wasn't possible. Then a woman comes over with a cammera and asks 'do you have your pants?' huh?! I obviously had no idea of what the audience were supposed to bring so explained I didn't and so she moved onto the next people. We were also asked to fill in a sheet to do with things that had annoyed us this week or something.

Anyway on to the show and Stephen - which is what you all actually want to know about. We were sat in front of the stage bit where the interview takes place in the few random seats there rather than in the main audience bit. So there is a warm-up guy and then Graham comes out and talks to the audience (tells us not to waste the applause when the cammeras aren't on! hehe). He does a link for the American audience - ooo sorry forgot to mention that, so it obviously can be seen on some channel over there at some point soon (think they said BBC America but not sure), as the link was topical to the news at the moment. So you might all want to check your tv guides for that.

The show eventually starts properly (at this point I'm looking at my watch thinking agh! I hope Stephen gets his bit done in time to get to the show, and also the show gets finished in time so we can make it on time to see him in it...). Graham is sat by the 'stage door' as on the tv show (cant quite remember all that was shown on tv or not as I only watched it very quickly once I got home to Dorset after seeing Joseph, so it was also quite late). So Graham explains how hes been sat there waiting for all sorts of people, including about 60 years wating for Cliff Richard to come out. This leads into the introduction to Stephen being in Joseph now and Stephen walks out and greets Graham, looking very nice and smart in his black jacket. They wander over to the interview area and sit down. Graham asked Stephen how he is and how everything's going etc. Stephen says its good and says about Joseph and how he's really busy and that there is also a new Boyzone album in the shops at the moment, so there's lots going on. Graham picks up on the BZ album, and says ooo really - thats good then, makes some sort of comment about money and Stephen agrees, makes a 'money coming in' hand gesture of rubbing his fingertips and goes 'cer-ching!' hehe with a bit of a grin. So they continue to talk about 'Joseph' and life in general, and Graham says he's shining on stage now after a difficult time (I think or something to that effect) - to which Stephen replies yeah, how could he possibly not shine in all of those costumes. Graham also points out that the show has had some excellent reviews - Stephen says he was really pleased with that and not expecting them at all.

Graham goes on to say how Stephen has been out and about, and seems to be best buddies now with Elton John and his partner, and what's that all about. Stephen replies saying how they have been really good to him and are really nice people and that they've helped him through a tough time last year and just ring him up sometimes to say how's it going and check hes ok etc. I think he also said that he went to David's birthday party which was good fun.

Graham goes on to talk to Stephen about dancing and how when he was younger he won some sort of competition in Ireland. Stephen tells him how he was all Ireland Disco Dancing Champion when he was younger. Graham goes on to ask him about some dance group he was in, but Stephen corrects him and says that it was a solo thing he did to win the competition with, and doesn't remember anything about a group. Which slightly confused me as I'm sure anyone who's got any of the early Boyzone books will also remember that in them it had about some group he was in... Anyway Stephen goes on to say about how he did dancing when he was younger and also obiously alot in Boyzone but Joseph is different and there isnt that much dancing in it, its more singing and acting which he is enjoying doing. I think all of this bit was cut from the show on tv. Graham then explains about how they had found on the net some page about this old couple who teach disco dancing - however he decided the old man looked more like a duck or something. So he shows Stephen the video clip - they started by doing some 'moves' slowly without music - and Stephen joking exclaimed, I know those moves! hehe and they watch the clip and laugh at it. Graham points out wait til the music starts and they show all the other couples who are being taught - and they agree they haven't got much of a chance with him as a teacher! It was funnier when they showed all these older couples doing this 'routine' and everyone had a good giggle at it. It's sort of hard to explain - I think you kinda had to see it to find it funny.

Graham then askes Stephen that obviously he knows about all the other bands who have tried to copy Boyzone or be like them - Stephen looked a little confused and was like erm not really. So Graham explained he just sort of meant all the other boybands that had sprung up etc - and Stephen was like oh right ok yeah. Anyway so Graham goes on to say they found something else and gets a record out of the draw in his desk (don't know if you can see that Stephen has it down the side of the chair next to him on tv at all later on). Which he explains are a cover band of Boyzone called 'Oizone', and reels off a few joke names of other cover bands which are along a similar line. He gives Stephen the record, which Stephen seemed quite interested in and picked up and read the back and was looking at the track listings and things. So everyone is sort of expecting something similar to Boyzone I think...Graham says they have a website and that you can listen to a clip on there. So he goes to the page and says oh here we go a clip of 'Love Me For a Reason' asks Stephen if he'd like to hear it, to which he enthusiastically says yes and the clip is played. It was a sort of erm alternative interpretation, slightly more along the lines of rock or heavy metal or something like that. Stephen laughs at it and seems to be getting quite into it at the same time. He asks if he can have the record to keep - Graham said he could, and then points out that Boyzone never did 'Earth Song' - that was Michael Jackson and that there was also a Spice Girls track on there. So Graham was like erm yeah ok maybe its not all Boyzone then but they have done some. Stephen agrees and pointed out all the rest were Boyzone tracks. He then wasn't quite sure what to do with the record I think as it didn't really want to fit down the side of the chair and he couldn't really sit there holding it for the rest of the interview - but he eventually managed to put it at his side out of the way. [I had a look on the net and if you search for Oizone there are several places you can buy the record online! Album Details: Oizone Are Four Grown Men from Reading who Decided One Very Drunken Day to Form a Band who Would Cover Boyzone's Hit Singles in an Oi-Punk Style with the Odd Classic Riff Thrown In! Includes Covers of Spice Girls, Baby Bird and Michael Jackson Hits. Hear Father and Son here]

Graham then pulls some pictures out of the draw (the three press photos of Stephen in Joseph). Saying how he's got a picture of Stephen in his coat, Stephen points out its one of his many coats, and that he has about five of them! Graham pulls a comedy face and exclaims - that's not in the Bible! So Stephen says how the picture he has in his hand is his first coat and he has different one for the finale. Graham find the picture of Stephen in his golden coat and Stephen says how that's his finale coat that he wears at the end. He also explains how he comes on stage on a golden bike at the end. Graham doesn't seem convinced so Stephen tries to expalin and goes no really I come on on a golden bike, like a big bike. Graham still not convinced asks about it and this goes on for a bit, what actually gold?! Yeah its this golden bike...i ride it onto the stage at the end. Graham asks if its like a motorbike, sort of what a motorbike. Stephen at first says no and tried to explain what it was like, then realising Graham was thinking it was like a push-bike as I think one of them called it (ie a normal bike) he said yes it was and laughed and pulled a face at the thought of how silly it would look to have him on a bike rather than his charriot of gold. It was quite a comedy conversation! Graham goes on to ask him if the microphones were the latest fashion accesory or something (he had a close up of Stephen as a brother at the start of the show at this point). Stephen said no and pointed out that they were the microphones and that he has to have two incase one crashes. Graham then goes back to the first photo and points out Stephen's platforms and says what about those?! I think this bit was on tv. And Stephen replies saying how those heels are a nightmare to walk in and he has to walk down the stairs in them and he was constantly wobbling all over the place. (I think he seems to have the hang of walking in them alot better now - deffinalty alot better than the tentative way he would walk down the stairs in Liverpool, I'm sure he nearly tripped once) Graham goes on to ask about the audience and if lots of the old Boyzone fans or his fans have been coming to see the show. Stephen says they have and seems quite pleased about it and also said that some of them have been 18 times already! Graham leads on from this into the 'mad fan' saying how hes heard about this mad fan of Stephens? So Stephen replies with he has many mad fans with a bit of a laugh and grin. Graham says yeah but theres one in particular, like the champion of all mad fans or something. Stephen obviously knows the one hes talking about and says yeah and about the things she's sent him and what she calls herself and what she calls him, and how they are the most bizzare letters hes ever had in his life, and she even sent him a lock of hair and some bizzare pictures. I'm sure most of this bit was on tv. Graham asks if he's ever met her and he looks quite scared and says nah he wouldn't want to - the letters are fine but he'd be scared to or something. He goes on to say about his birthday party and cake the rest of the cast got him. Graham points out oh yeah Stephen and St Patrick on the same day or something, as it was Stephens Birthday the day before and also St Patricks Day (as I'm sure you are all well aware). Anyway so he says how the cast got him this cake with a photo of his mad fan on it, which he 'howled at for about half an hour' and goes on to say about it and starts saying something else, then goes oh no I really shouldn't and stops himself. Graham goads him on and gets him to say it anyway though - so he does and says how someone also dressed up as what she calls herself. It was quite funny - sounds like he had a nice time celebrating his birthday too - nice to hear that the rest of the cast got him a cake.

Then sort of quite randomly Graham just comes out with 'so when were you fat' - I dont remember you being fat. Stephen replied with yeah, oh yeah I was. Graham asks if it was a temporary thing or what and Stephen said no it was for a while, and says how hes lost nearly two stone and is feeling great now. He also says that he kind of had to as he really is wearing nothing on stage, like just a tiny little loin cloth.

They then go over to the other stage - and play the pants game... Ah hah this is where I now understood about the pants comment earlier, and the photos. So they have these three guys on stage and Graham explains to Stephen about how he has photos of their underwear and Stephen has to pick which one he thinks is wearing what underwear and hang the photos on the clip around their necks. So Stephen laughs, especially at the third rather interesting photo (of a kind of black furry thong) and Graham asks good game? to which Stephen still laughing replies yeah good game good game (not sure he sounded entirely convinced, seem to find the whole thing very amusing though). So they then ask the guys names and Stephen repeats them over about 4 or 5 times to remember them. That bit got refilmed later though for some reason and the second one was shown on tv. With the help (possibly hinderance) of the audience Stephen decided who was wearing what (I thought it was quite obvious it was number 3 wearing the dodgy one, wasnt sure about the other two though as to which way round they went). Anyway so after alot of hesitation and Graham offering 'helpful' advice - Stephen finally hung the pants pics on all three guys (now there a sentence I didn't think I'd be writing!) and they then dropped their throusers to reveal if he was right or not. We'll one out of three isnt bad!

Stephen then stood on stage for a bit chatting to Graham and looking at his watch to see how much time he had before he had to be on stage - Graham said typical the one time you need to get off quickly and we have to redo a bit. So they redid the names bit with the guys, this was after a bit of a delay waiting for them to come back on stage. Someone shouted out of the audience Stephen give us a song - but he explained he was saving his voice for the show and that they should come and see it. Anyway so they redid that bit, starting with a bit of a comedy lean backwards to make it look like that had just walked over from the interview side again. He then filmed a trailor for the show. Which no-one really seemed to know what was sposed to happen, as Graham asked Stephen you know what you're doing don't you yeah - erm well no not really... was the reply as Stephen disappeared behind the curtain. He then did it twice and between the takes kept popping his head out of the curtain and you could see him moving about behind it - Graham stuck his head through at one point and said slightly surprised oo hello - not sure if there was someone else there or what at that point but anyway so they finally got it done and Stephen came out from behind the curtain and did his 'ahhh ah' then ran off to get to the show on time. He left his Oizone record behind though, which I think he seemed disapointed about later but I wasn't quite sure if he was being sarcastic or not. I think he thought the show went well though and enjoyed it.

Anyway so then Mis-Teeq (hmm don't think I've spelt that right) came on for the second half of the show - as Graham said they don't normally have two guests per show now but Stephen had to get off so he could be on stage by half seven. I sat there enjoying the show but also hoping it would finish in time for me to get there in time too! Which luckily it did - just about! As soon as we could go my brother and I ran out of there, grabbed a taxi and made it to the theatre for about 7:29 and 30 seconds, not that we were cutting it fine or anything. It was quite full, but not hugely - however for the second half a load of people who were obviously together and were late arrive and so the theatre was pretty full - also everyone joined in and everyone was standing up and Stephen even got them all to sing back to him! Well I say everyone was standing up - there was my brother next to me in the front row who didn't for a bit until after most people had, however I gave him a helping hand out of his seat (which Stephen saw me do and laughed) I kind of grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his seat - well I knew he wanted to join in really - which he did admit to later.

Anyway so all in all it was a good day and Stephen was excellent both on 'Graham Norton' and in 'Joseph'. It's nice to hear Stephen's shouty bit in the show are coming back nice and strongly again rather than how they went for a while at the start of the London run. I can't believe I forgot to ask him if he had a nice birthday though - obviously it was a much better idea to tell him about the pyjama bar crawl the night before and how I woke up not quite knowing how I'd got home. Nice one Julia! You know how there are times when you are thinking to yourself shut up why am I still talking, but the words are still coming out of your mouth... So I then continued to yo-yo the country by going home to Dorset with my brother again before getting up at 5:15 (!) to get the 6am train to London and then get to Durham in time for my lecture that morning... I was then convinced all Wednesday afternoon that it was Thursday for some reason - obviously the day had seemed that long! But one thing is for sure, if I never see another train I won't be upset - I've had enough of sitting on them for a while!

Oh well looks like I've done it again - written a huge long 'review' when only intending to write a short one covering everything that happened. Hope you found it interesting anyway. I think I've remembered it all and hopefully something close to the order it all was said in - if I think of anything else I'll add it later. But I thought I'd share what didn't make it onto the TV with you all as I was lucky enough to be there, just to say there was alot more talked about than just the mad fan, as it sort of seemed like on tv. Oh also on the official message board people were talking about what happened last time he was on the show - if anyone is interested and not seen it yet I wrote a similar review of that one, which can be found in the reviews section of this site.

[I've just written this and not re-read it yet as don't have time at the moment - someone please tell me if I've said anything stupid or made silly typos, thanks!]