Louis Walsh dumps Boyzone and tells them to split

Manager Louis Walsh has reportedly dumped Boyzone and advised the band to split up.

So far, it is thought that low ticket sales for their recent tour, and Ronan Keating's alleged affair with one of the dancers, are thought to be to blame for the move.

"Louis has told Boyzone they're finished. Ronan doesn't want to accept it but without Louis they have no chance," a source said. "The affair changed everything for many fans. It destroyed the family-friendly image that made the band popular.

"They kept a diehard fanbase but the Brother tour earlier this year wasn't a big success. Louis didn't bother seeing a single show. [They] just couldn't compete with the Take That comeback and lots of tickets weren't sold. So Louis decided it was the right time for the band to finish."

However, a friend of Keating's has since revealed that the band are likely to ignore Louis' advice and stay together, saying: "Despite what Louis might say, in the end he had very little to do with Boyzone - and the last tour was actually a success."