Hi °C | Lo °C He's worth an estimated €15m -- enough to let him live more than comfortably for the rest of his life, even after an expensive divorce.
But Ronan Keating is a proud man. He still has a burning desire to be a significant name in the music business.
After an acrimonious split as manager, Louis Walsh allegedly told reporters in 2000 that "he [Ronan Keating] wasn't the most talented one, he's not a great singer and he's got no personality."
The criticism stung the Boyzone front man, nine solo albums and over 20 million record sales later he can claim to have answered most of his critics.
But there are still those who aren't convinced that the 35-year-old's voice is up to scratch, while others feel Keating is more concerned with getting his face in the newspapers than improving the quality of his output.
And now he has a new wave of criticism to deal with -- from former fans who are vocal in their views over his marriage break-up.
"If you mention the name 'Ronan Keating' to anyone today the first thing they're going to think is 'isn't he the one who had the affair with that dancer'," a veteran industry insider told the Irish Independent.
"He has to douse the flames quickly. Rather than run away to Australia, Ronan Keating needs to front it out.
"If that means doing all the interviews on the sofas and selling his story then so be it. But the worst thing he could do now is try to hope it just passes. Because it won't.
"If I was advising him, I'd tell him to use this moment as a chance to redefine his career.
"Of course, it's very difficult for him, his wife Yvonne and the children -- but it probably can't get much worse.
"He needs to look forward now and concentrate on Ronan Keating the musician and artist, rather than Ronan Keating the entertainer and role model."
Keating's former Boyzone bandmate Keith Duffy has confirmed that the existing members of the band are meeting with record companies in London to discuss a possible anniversary record, album and tour.
The boyband was formed in 1993 and industry insiders believe Keating's career could be helped by aligning himself closer to the Boyzone brand as they aim to celebrate their 20-year anniversary in 2013.
"Strength in numbers could help Ronan at the moment. Boyzone fans are less likely to snub the Keating-fronted group than they are the singer himself," said one.
In 2010 Mark Owen of 'Take That' revealed that he had had a five-year affair. By that time the band had reformed and a year later, they set a new record for staging the fastest-selling tour of all time in the UK.
If a reunited Boyzone could enjoy similar success, it's thought Keating's personal fortunes could take a turn for the better.
"It would provide a wonderful distraction away from his situation. Obviously it wouldn't be easy without Stephen Gately, but Boyzone continue to receive massive goodwill and if they could get back together for a tour the reports would be of their success and not of Keating's [alleged] misdemeanours," said an industry source.
Graham Clifford
