Boyzone have broken new boundaries by featuring a gay couple in the video to their new single, 'Better'.

Singer Stephen Gately, who came out in 1999, gets close with an actor in the video for the song.

Speaking to the BBC, Gately said he didn't think there “should be a real big issue” about the video, which is the first to feature a gay couple.

"I just think it's just a beautiful video and I think it works superbly for the song,” he said. "I'm hoping this video will have a good, positive, all round reaction.”

The partners of all of Boyzone's members were originally offered to star in the video but declined to take part.

But Gately, who is in a civil partnership, said he found it important to be true to himself.

He added: The lads were saying, 'You've got to do this'. They were pushing saying, 'This would be fantastic'. It's the first of its kind. That's why I went for it.”

Boyzone reformed last year and are due to head out on a new European tour next summer.

(by Jason Gregory)