From messy divorces to fall outs with Louis Walsh, here’s what came next for Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gatley, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch

Formed in 1993 by X Factor judge Louis Walsh, Boyzone were intended to be Ireland’s answer to Take That.

But their appeal went global, with Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch selling more than 25 million records worldwide by 2013.

The No Matter What singers went their separate ways in 1999 before reuniting in 2007 and then splitting for good after their 25th anniversary in 2018.

But what have the boys been up to since? From messy divorces, feuds and fall outs to soap careers, splinter groups and the heartbreaking tragedy that bonded them forever, here’s what came next for the second biggest band in Britain…

Stephen Gately

Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gatley, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch found formed the band in 1993 (Image: Getty Images)

Boyzone had just reunited and finished their Back Again… No Matter What Tour when Stephen tragically died in October 2009.

He and his partner, internet tycoon Andrew Cowles, had just arrived at their £1million apartment in the upmarket Majorca resort of Port d’Andratx, for a month-long working holiday.

On the evening of Saturday, October 9, 2009, they headed out for dinner and drinks in the nearby city of Palma.

The next afternoon, Stephen was found dead on the sofa.

He had suffered ‘acute’ pulmonary oedema – or fluid on the lungs – caused by an undiagnosed heart condition.

The pathology report confirmed his death was not related to drink or drugs and he’d been on good form in the days before, with his widower telling The Mirror, “I do get some comfort from knowing how happy he was that day.

“The night he died, we’d had such a good time, a lovely evening in our favourite restaurant. He was the most happy and confident he’d been in his life.”

Stephen’s bandmates were distraught over his tragic death (Image: Getty Images)
His distraught bandmates immediately flew to Majorca to bring Stephen’s body back.

And when his devastated mum fretted that her son didn’t “like to be alone”, his ‘brothers’ decided to hold an overnight vigil before the funeral at St Laurence O’Toole Roman Catholic church, spending the night in sleeping bags the floor next to the 33-year-old’s coffin.

“We cried and we laughed and we could hear him telling us jokes and we could hear him answering back…” Ronan later said. “It was a beautiful, amazing experience to be there with Steo that night.”

Keith Duffy

Keith Duffy joined the cast of Coronation Street (Image: PA)
Like his bandmates, Keith, 46, was deeply affected by the loss of Stephen. And when they were tasked with choosing a coffin, he described it as the, “hardest thing that any of us have had to do in our lives.”

“This was something that was going to be the last thing that your friend is going to lie in,” he added.

But once the funeral was over, it was then that the true horror of the situation began to take its cruel toll.

For Keith, his grief took the form of chilling nightmares – so terrifying that he didn’t dare go to sleep.

“I was distraught – I felt anger, disbelief, I cried a lot and had terrible nightmares,” he previously told Closer magazine.

“In the first few weeks they were terrifying. I couldn’t breathe, I’d go light-headed and it was incredibly frightening.”

For years he struggled to understand the loss and tried to “knock himself out” with alcohol.

And when the band hit the road just two years later with their grief still raw, he said it ended in disaster.

Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden now perform together as Boyzlife
“He died in 2009 and we were back on the road in 2011, two years later – which was way too soon. Way too soon,” Keith told The Express.

“Emotionally and psychologically… I’ll be very honest, myself and Shane were drinking too much, trying to numb the pain, onstage and offstage.

“It just didn’t work, and it wasn’t enjoyable. We didn’t want to be together. That’s when we took a sabbatical.”

After Boyzone split, Keith joined Coronation Street as barman Ciaran McCarthy and also starred as John the security guard in 2014’s Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie.

He married wife Lisa in Las Vegas in 1998, with Ronan by his side as best man, and they have two children – Jay, 24, and Mia, 21.

As well as working the reality circuit with appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Splash, in 2015 he formed a splinter group with Westlife star Brian McFadden – much to the mirth of Brian’s former bandmate Kian Egan, who branded the move ‘aggravating’.

“It’s a bit of an odd one – a member of Westlife who left the band after four years decides to use half the name for whatever it is that they’re doing,” he sniped.

However, Keith has vowed to keep doing what they’re doing as long as the fans want it.

“Myself and Brian have always been pals. We don’t take anything too seriously,” he told the Irish Independent.

“We’re doing gigs for cruise lines, for Euro Disney, it’s very busy.

“We’re going to keep going for as long as people want to see us.”

Shane Lynch

Shane Lynch was the bad boy of Boyzone (Image: Rex)
With his piercings, tattoos and temper, Shane, 44, was quickly dubbed the bad boy of Boyzone and he once had an actual fight with rapper P Diddy.

The pair had a fall after the MTV European Music Awards when P Diddy apparently tried to hijack Boyzone’s VIP area.

Speaking to The Mirror after the 2001 incident, he said: “They were ordering everybody to get out – and right in the middle of all the hassle was my [ex] wife Easther [Bennett, of Eternal fame].

“I saw red. My mood changed. I was like a bull in a china shop, it was really strange and everybody stood back.

“Puff Daddy was standing on a table holding a bottle of champagne. He pointed it and started to shoot it at me for whatever reason, I don’t know.

“So I jumped through the air and gave him a solid one to the jaw and he fell off the table. Then all hell broke loose.”

After Boyzone split, Shane branched out into reality TV, appearing on Celebrity Love Island, The Games, Cirque Du Celebrite and Celebrity Big Brother.

As well as singing, devout Christian Shane has tried his hand at acting, appearing in several pantos, but his love of motor racing has never left him and he continues to compete at a high level.

He has also appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and co-owns three barbershops in northern Ireland.

You might also recognise his famous sisters – twins Keavy and Edele Lynch who were in girl group B*Witched.

Shane split from Easther in 2000 and in 2007 he married singer Sheena White, who he had two daughters with, Billie Rae and Marley Mae.

Mikey Graham

Mikey Graham competed in Dancing On Ice in 2010
Now 48, Mikey made headlines in 2010 when he revealed he and Shane had secretly spent 15 years not speaking after a row about an exhaust pipe.

It was only when Boyzone made their comeback that the pair healed their ‘ridiculous’ rift – and became best pals.

He told The People: “For many years me and Mikey were the furthest apart – I mean we didn’t get on at all.

“When the band formed in 1993 I was 17, mad about cars and working as a car mechanic. Mikey was 21 and also a car mechanic but a more advanced one. One day we fell out. It wasn’t really ‘spanner envy’ but, quite ridiculously, we fell out over a bloody exhaust pipe.

“I remember it clearly. I was always into the racing side of cars and Mikey was more a straight mechanic on your average car.

Boyzone in 1995 – Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch (Image: Rex)
“We were discussing the exhaust pipe and how it would get the car to go a little bit faster and he told me I was talking absolute nonsense and that was impossible.

“And, believe it or not, we fell out over that and we didn’t talk for years.”

He continued: “We worked together but there was always the clear understanding that at that moment we were two individuals who had absolutely nothing in common.

“We didn’t totally ignore each other but we never hung out together. I’d hang out with Ronan and Stephen while Keith and Mikey hung out because they were closer in age.

“That’s just how it always was, right up until our comeback two years ago.

“When we got back together to tour it was just very apparent that we were all adults. We all wanted the same things from life, shared the same values. All five of us instantly became very, very close and understood each other.

“Ever since then Mikey and I have become really good pals and he’s actually a brilliant lad to know. He is a very, very knowledgeable guy, a great reader and he’s very, very wise.”

Meanwhile, he competed on Irish Celebrity Apprentice in 2013 and got to the finals of the Irish Eurovision Song Contest act show in 2010.

Mikey has daughters Hannah and Sienna Nicole from a previous relationship and married wife Karen Corradi in 2004.

Ronan Keating

Ronan’s first marriage to Yvonne ended in 2010
Ronan, 44, sold 20 million records as a solo artist with hits including Life is a Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing At All.

he has worked as a judge on the Australian versions of The X Factor and The Voice and since September 2017 he has also hosted the breakfast show on Magic Radio..

His marriage to Yvonne Connolly collapsed in 2010 after his affair with dancer Francine Cornell, and soon after he met current wife, TV producer Storm Uechtritz, on the set of the X Factor Australia.

They tied the knot five years ago in a stunning Scottish ceremony and have since welcomed son Cooper, three, and 11-month-old daughter Coco.

Meanwhile, Ronan had a famous fall out with Louis Walsh when he dumped him as his manager in 2003.

Ronan and Louis Walsh have been feuding for years
They were were brought together again when Boyzone member Stephen Gately died unexpectedly during a holiday to Majorca in 2009.

But the feud reignited in 2013 when Louis told The Times they were no longer on ‘talking terms’ and branded Ronan “a manufactured popstar who actually believed his own publicity.

“Ronan thought he was George Michael,” he sniped. “He said he didn’t want to be a karaoke artist. Well, that’s what he is.”

For Ronan’s part, he told the Belfast Telegraph in 2020 that Boyzone’s former manager was just ‘bitter’.

“Boyzone happened because of Louis Walsh, he was fundamentally the reason we got our start,” he said. “After that it was all down to us and what we did individually.

“He was bitter. Someone like Louis, he’s been so successful and made so much money, he should be embracing everything about music that comes out of this country.”

ASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN – MAY 31: A detailed view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during an OTA practice session at Don Hutson Center on May 31, 2023 in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
A former star for the Green Bay Packers is reported to have passed away.

The University of Montana revealed on Tuesday that Steve Okoniewski, who also played for the Grizzlies, died at the age of 74 on Tuesday.

“We lost a Montana legend,” the team wrote in a tweet. “Steve Okoniewski was a Grizzly All-American and 2nd-round NFL Draft pick in 1972. After a six-year NFL career, he became an educator and a state-champion high school football coach in Montana and Wisconsin. Our hearts are with his family.”

The former defensive tackle played six years in the NFL, two of which were spent with the Packers. He began his career with the Buffalo Bills, playing from 1972-73 before moving to Green Bay, where he had a two-year stint.

He retired after a spell with the St. Louis Cardinals.

We lost a Montana legend.

Steve Okoniewski was a Grizzly All-American and 2nd-round NFL Draft pick in 1972.

After a six-year NFL career, he became an educator and a state-champion high school football coach in Montana and Wisconsin.

Our hearts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/EuEoel6yJ8

— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) February 26, 2024

While he played for three organizations, Okoniewski seemed most proud of his time in Green Bay.

“I didn’t play on successful teams, and I wasn’t the most talented player,” he said in 2010. “I had to work extra hard because I didn’t have the natural abilities. … But I’m proud to say, I was a Green Bay Packer and live in Green Bay.”

TotalProSports extends commiserations to Steve’s family, friends, and loved ones.

Rest in peace, Steve Okoniewski. 1949-2024

Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill is reportedly being sued for breaking a woman’s leg in retaliation to her humiliating him during a backyard football game last year.

According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the wideout is the defendant of a lawsuit filed by social media influencer and OF model Sophie Hall, who claims she embarrassed Hill by holding her own and even knocking him back during practice drills at his Florida mansion.

Hill is accused of rushing at Hall and throwing her to the ground with such force, he broke her leg and forced her into reconstructive surgery and several months of physiotherapy.

The WR, said to have been “enraged” at the time, is being sued for battery, assault, and negligence.

“Tyreek Hill, a National Football League superstar, perennial Pro Bowler, First Team All-Pro and world class athlete nicknamed the “Cheetah” for his incredible combination of strength and speed, makes his living humiliating and outperforming his competition on the football field,” the suit reads.

“Unfortunately, after getting ”humiliated” in front of friends and family when he was knocked backwards during a friendly football lesson by his friend Sophie Hall, Tyreek became enraged and forcefully and purposefully shoved Ms. Hall, severely fracturing her leg.”

 

Hill was recently in the news after filing for a divorce from his wife of just months and subsequently retracting the application after details went public. He also found himself in trouble with the law last offseason for assaulting an employee after being asked to exit a boat at a Miami marina.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 08: L’Jarius Sneed #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs have made a decision on superstar cornerback L’Jarius Sneed as free agency draws closer.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs told Sneed that they’re planning to set the franchise tag on him. That said, Fowler stated that Kansas City is “open to consummate a trade off” if the two sides can’t reach a long-term deal.

Fowler added that Sneed is on board with the idea.

Placing the franchise tag on Sneed means he won’t be going to free agency. So even if the Chiefs have to trade the two-time Super Bowl champion, they’ll still receive valuable compensation in return.

Tagging Sneed also means the franchise tag will not be placed on superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones. So the Chiefs will either have to reach a long-term deal with him or risk losing Jones for nothing when the free agent market opens up on Mar. 13.

The 27-year-old Sneed has emerged as one of the Chiefs’ cornerstone players during their dynastic run. The No. 138 selection of the 2020 NFL Draft has 10 career interceptions and 40 pass defenses to go along with four forced fumbles.

Sneed had by far his best season in 2023, recording a career-best 14 pass breakups while not allowing a single touchdown in coverage during the regular season. He had three pass defenses and one forced fumble in the Chiefs’ 2023-24 playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl 58 championship.

Jason Kelce’s last daughter, Bennie, turned one this past weekend.

The newest addition to the Philadelphia Eagles star and his wife Kylie’s family looks just like her dad and that’s what everyone was saying after her mom shared a photo of her to Instagram.

“Bennie turned 1 on Friday,” Kylie wrote as the caption to the adorable post. “She is a content, curious, climber that is now getting involved in everything her older sisters are doing. Wish us luck… she’s getting faster everyday.”

Check it out below:

The pic drew several comments from IG users who observed how much the youngest Kelce looks like the Eagles center, while looking nothing like her mom.

“Kylieeee, did your genes even try?!!” one fan asked.

“Jason’s twin!” another said.

“I was gonna say all I see is another female baby jason,” one user wrote.

“I literally was thinking the same thing, Jason jr over there,” one pointed out.

Below are similar comments from other fans:
“Omg she’s Jason’s twin in this pic!!!!”

“She is a mini Jason!”

“She looks like Jason and Travis ran at eachother full speed then out came Bennie.”

“She looks more like Jason than Wyatt does!”

“Them Kelce genes are strong!”
Meanwhile, the six-time Al-Pro is mulling over retirement. He seems to have enough keeping him busy at home with a new little climber in the house. But there is the possibility of at least one more season.

In any case, we should know soon enough.

Dolly Parton jokes she’d rather “drop dead” on stage than retire

The enduring cultural icon that is Dolly Parton

The country music legend joked that she’d rather “drop dead” on stage singing one of her songs than ever retire.

INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON

2022 WAS A a big year for Dolly Parton. Last October she announced her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas: Ultimate Deluxe Edition, and then in December, she performed alongside Goddaughter Miley Cyrus at the young pop star’s second annual, Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party. And while she’s now 77 years old — Parton shows no signs of slowing down.

During a recent interview on the Greatest Hits Radio show, the country music star revealed she has no plans for retirement as she’s “not one to sit around and do nothing.” In fact, she hopes to eventually bow out by dropping dead on stage mid-way through one of her songs.

“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday. Hopefully, one I’ve written. But that’s how I hope to go,” Parton began. “Of course, we don’t have much of a choice in that. But as long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good and my husband is good. I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason. But in the meantime, I’m gonna make hay while the sun shines.”

But her work ethic goes beyond musical achievements, with perhaps some of Parton’s most worthwhile contributions being her inspiring and life-long philanthropic work. In November 2022, Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos awarded Parton a $US100 million ($149 million) prize for charitable endeavours.

The Bezos Courage & Civility Award recognises leaders who “pursue solutions with courage and civility,” Mr Bezos said online.

 
INSTAGRAM / @ROCKHALL VIA @DOLLYPARTON
The country music star, who was also just days ago inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is not only exceptionally talented but as Bezos has very much brought to the attention of anyone who didn’t know, an exceptionally generous philanthropist too.

In 2021 Parton donated $700,000 to victims of the Tennessee floods and at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she donated $US1 million to Vanderbilt University’s Medical Centre to help develop the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Parton has also founded a number of charities including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education as well as poverty relief and she has donated over 184 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library, her children’s book, Coat of Many Colours, was dedicated to the Library of Congress to honour the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth book donation.

And on top of this the musician, songwriter and actress has also assisted the animal advocacy group, PETA by donating her hit, Will You Be Waiting for Me? for a heart-warming television spot, reminding people that pets like humans, need company.

While her extensive philanthropic work makes Parton unequivocally generous, and her 2022 induction into a very enviable list of rock and roll musicians showcases her talent and success in the music industry, Parton’s legacy doesn’t stop there.

Parton is also a successful businesswoman, with businesses that are worth an estimated $350 million no less. These include her own fragrance, a Netflix production deal, a theme park, Dollywood, and even a dog clothing and accessory line – Doggy Parton.

But above all of this, without a doubt, Dolly Parton is a treasured, cultural icon.
INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON
Parton has set herself apart from many a pack, in many a field and where others have fallen. Parton has remained herself (yes, fake breasts and hair included). She has stayed grounded and without ego and is never one to take herself too seriously, you just look at her own Dolly-isms, her self-deprecating quotes – “I’m very real where it counts, and that’s inside” – to see this.

And these characteristics cannot be underestimated and have undoubtedly contributed to Parton’s lasting popularity.

Dr Jessica Ford, Lecturer in Screen and Cultural Studies at The University of Newcastle (and fellow Dolly admirer) says that Parton’s appeal comes down to her “unique Dolly-ness.”

“She is both a ditsy blonde and makes fun of ditsy blondes. There is a sincerity and simplicity but also a visually spectacular aesthetic.”

But most importantly, with Parton, you always know what you are going to get – big wigs, sequinned and rhinestone-covered dresses, huge fake boobs and lips and the heck of a voice. And these have remained consistent Dr Ford says, the key to her success, especially within the country music industry where authenticity is a must.

Despite all of her achievements over the past few years – for me a long-time Parton fan, it was her announcement of a Holly Dolly Christmas: Deluxe Edition released in October, that had me most excited.

Not because Parton and Christmas music are a new combination, its legacy could even rival Mariah Carey’s in this regard (don’t tell MC I said that), but because at age 76, Parton is still being her authentic self, she is still doing what she loves and she is still in the headlines for good reasons, something arguably rare for many celebrities who’ve been in the spotlight for decades.

 
INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON
Reading the kid’s book, Little People, Big Dreams, featuring Dolly Parton, to my two daughters and detailing her humble upbringing (one that is actually humble), alongside her enduring love and passion for music from an early age and how despite obstacles that would have stopped most, Dolly persisted and overcame them. For me, this has always been Parton’s appeal, her hard-working and determined drive and her authentic self and how those were the traits that helped her succeed.

She is a role model, not perfect, not without fault, but an authentic person who works hard and understands her shortcomings.

Because the truth is, there is something impressive about a woman who openly proclaims and proudly displays all of her fakenesses but who always looks a million bucks and who is so authentically real doing it. Is it a dichotomy? Sure, but that’s the reality for most of us, isn’t it? Parton just manages to sing hers really loudly.

Dolly Parton reveals regretful reason behind why she never had children with husband of 57 years

Dolly Parton and husband Carl Dean never started a family, and now Dolly revealed why whilst adding she’s “almost glad” it didn’t happen. Picture: Getty/Dolly Parton Instagram

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean married in 1966.

At the age of just 20, Dolly married Carl, with the full intention of being together forever. Remarkably, they’re still happily married 57 years on.

Dolly was just an aspiring country singer in those days, and it was the done thing for young couples to consider starting a family.

Both she and Carl bucked the trend however, deciding not to have children and instead focus on transforming Dolly into a superstar.

However, as her fame and fortune grew, starting a family together became more of a distant prospect, and the couple eventually never had children.

In an interview with Mojo magazine, Dolly revealed the regretful reason behind why the couple never made the decision to bring a brood into the world.

Citing how the world has drastically changed over the years and the fractured political climate we currently live in, the legendary ‘Jolene’ singer also admitted that she is “almost glad” that it never happened.

Dolly said she “probably wouldn’t have been a star” if she started a family with husband Carl. (Photo by RB/Redferns). Picture: Getty

“It seems like we’re not making any progress, mostly because nobody’s trying. Nobody’s willing to listen to anybody else,” Dolly said.

“Everybody already knows everything. You’re going to teach your children the same thing, whether it’s right or wrong.”

“Everything is out there. Kids know everything, they see everything, they hear everything. We have to discuss stuff,” she continued.

“I know this sounds like a selfish, awful thing to say, but I’m almost glad I never had children. I worry myself to death about my little nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.”

Reflecting on her relationship with her husband without children, she said: “My husband and I, we just think of ourselves as each other’s child. He’s my only child, and I’m his only child.”

Dolly used her own family as an example, revealing that half of them are Democrats and the other half are Republicans, which makes for uncomfortable and often tense get-togethers.

“You can’t even have a Christmas dinner, especially if somebody gets drinking,” she admitted.

“You think ‘Oh Lord, it’s not even worth it any more’. We’ve lost families, we’ve lost friends, all because of the great divide – that’s just politics.”

It’s not the first time Dolly has addressed her decision not to start a family, revealing to Oprah Winfrey in 2020 that it was “God’s will”.

“I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine, so I could do things like Imagination Library,” Dolly insisted, referencing the educational initiative she set up for young and underprivileged children.

“If I hadn’t had the freedom to work, I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done,” she continued, adding, “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now.”

Several years before that, Parton told The Guardian that she likely wouldn’t even have been a country music star if she had her own children, though she would have loved it if she did.

“I would have been a great mother, I think. I would probably have given up everything else. Because I would’ve felt guilty about that, if I’d have left them [to work, to tour]. Everything would have changed. I probably wouldn’t have been a star.”

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Yankees have been relatively healthy through the first few weeks of spring training, but a potential concern popped up Tuesday.

Oswald Peraza was scratched from joining the Yankees on their trip to face the Rays because of right shoulder tightness that he experienced on Monday, according to Aaron Boone.

“I’m hoping he’s back in there maybe Thursday or Friday,” Boone said after the Yankees’ 4-2 loss at Charlotte Sports Park. “We’ll just see. Today he seemed better but [Monday] the trainers noticed he was pretty tight back there. Hoping it’s a day-to-day thing. We’ll see.”

Oswald Peraza, taking batting practice earlier in spring training, was scratched from the lineup because of right shoulder tightness.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Boone said he did not think Peraza was scheduled to undergo any tests.

It is an important spring for the 23-year-old Peraza, who has a shot to make the bench as a backup infielder but also could be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (he has one minor league option remaining) to get everyday at-bats.

After Anthony Volpe won the starting shortstop job last spring, the defensively gifted Peraza struggled to produce offensively in limited action with the Yankees.

He hit just .191 with a .539 OPS across 52 games while filling in mostly at third base.

Will Warren made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, striking out three across 2 ²/₃ innings against the Rays.

Will Warren allowed just one run in his Graprefruit League debut.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

He gave up four hits and one run against a close-to-full-strength Rays lineup.

“He was good,” Boone said. “Every pitch that he didn’t execute perfectly got whacked pretty good. But I thought he was in command.”

Fellow pitching prospect Chase Hampton also threw an inning, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Boone praised the duo before the game and said both were “going to be big-league starting pitchers” — with Warren slightly ahead of Hampton in the development process.

Both could make their MLB debuts this season as important depth starters for a rotation that has injury risks.

“I do feel like we have better options than I would have even expected behind that, whether you call it 6-8, 6-10 [beyond the top five starters], whatever it may be,” Boone said.

Jose Trevino has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game because of a calf strain he sustained before camp, but he may not be far off.

The backstop, who has been catching live batting practices and bullpen sessions, was set to have a “heavy day” of work on Tuesday, Boone said, as he ramped up his running progression.

Trevino had three more running ramp-ups to get through before he could be cleared for game action.

“I would say by the end of the week, we’re in a position to say, ‘OK, we’re targeting this for a game,’ ” Boone said. “But he’s gotta get through this next week. He’s doing well.”

Boone added that he would take extra precaution with Trevino’s return since he will still likely get three weeks of games in before the season.

Jonathan Loaisiga threw live batting practice back in Tampa.

Dolly Parton Says She Has No Plans to Retire: “I’ll Just Hopefully Drop Dead in the Middle of a Song Onstage”

The music legend has released a total of 65 studio albums throughout her decades-long career.

Dolly Parton Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Dolly Parton doesn’t see herself getting off the stage anytime soon, or really ever.

The country music icon said during a recent interview on the Greatest Hits Radio show that she has no plans for retirement in her future because she’s “not one to sit around and do nothing.”

“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday. Hopefully, one I’ve written. But that’s how I hope to go,” Parton, 77, quipped. “Of course, we don’t have much of a choice in that. But as long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good and my husband is good. I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason. But in the meantime, I’m gonna make hay while the sun shines.”

Since her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967, Parton has gone on to become a music legend, releasing a total of 65 studio albums so far.

Earlier during the interview with host Ken Bruce, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer explained that since she’s been lucky to have so many dreams come true throughout her music career, she wants to make sure she doesn’t let anything go to waste.

“I always believe that if you’ve wanted your dreams to come true and you are lucky enough to have that happen, then you’ve got to be responsible because you gotta keep the dream alive,” the Jolene singer said. “And every dream kind of spawns another dream. You can branch off of almost anything that happens and make a business of that as well. So it’s kind of like a tree with good roots — it’s got a lot of limbs and it’s also got a lot of leaves. So, why not make the most of it?”

The Grammy-winning singer is also set to make another one of her dreams come true with the upcoming release of her first rock album.

In May, Parton announced that her album Rockstar, which will drop Nov. 17, will feature collaborations with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Lizzo and Miley Cyrus.

“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album Rockstar!” she said in a statement at the time. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

Debunking The Reba McEntire And Dolly Parton Feud Rumors

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton are undoubtedly two of the most prominent figures in the music industry, and what comes with that territory is, unfortunately, a lot of gossip. Despite their jam-packed schedules, which include new albums and high-profile performances like the Super Bowl, speculation about tension between them persists.

Not even McEntire and Parton’s decades-long friendship has been able to put a stop to the feud rumors surrounding the two superstars. In addition to openly supporting each other in their artistic endeavors and frequently sharing stages, the two go way back. According to McEntire herself, she and Parton first crossed paths in 1977 at the Grand Ole Opry, as she shared with Taste of Country’s Evan Paul in 2023. McEntire recalled that one of her initial performance slots was unexpectedly given to Parton, which McEntire didn’t mind, quipping, “I said, ‘She can have both of them. Can I meet her?’” Although they formally met later, McEntire vividly remembered Parton’s stunning presence as she walked by, comparing her to an angel. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life,’” she shared.

Still, some sources continue to claim that Parton and McEntire’s friendship has begun to sour behind the scenes, but we’re here to debunk those rumors.

Revisiting the gossip about their alleged drama

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According to an insider who spoke to OK! Magazine, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire have definitely feuded before. “There’s always been a friendly rivalry there, only now Reba’s pressing Dolly’s buttons big-time,” the anonymous person shared, adding, “Reba’s always trying to one-up Dolly in everything she does.” Furthermore, the source alleged that Parton was using her influence to halt the reboot of McEntire’s beloved TV show, “Reba,” but did not provide any evidence to support that claim.

Other than bickering over business, another purported conflict between McEntire and Parton arose over Kenny Rogers’ farewell concert in 2020, where both stars performed. According to a source cited by the National Enquirer, they both believed they should headline the event. “Both of them considered themselves Kenny’s closest confidante,” explained the insider, adding that the two icons were furious with one another.

Despite these reports, there’s no evidence to support any tension between McEntire and Parton. In fact, both have publicly expressed their love for one another, with no indication of any underlying drama. Additionally, given that both of the cited insiders were anonymous sources talking to tabloids, it’s reasonable to conclude that there is no real animosity between McEntire and Parton, only mutual admiration.

The two icons seem to be very good friends

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Although there are no documented records of any feud between Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire from reputable sources, both legendary singers have expressed love for each other on numerous occasions. Following the alleged drama involving Kenny Rogers, Parton took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice her support for McEntire’s podcast, “Living & Learning with Reba McEntire.” Along with the link to her episode, Parton wrote, “With a friendship that’s lasted over 40 years, @reba and I always have a lot to talk about!”

McEntire has previously also spoken up about being a fan of Parton’s work, telling Newsweek in 2023, “I grew up listening to Dolly Parton when she had her very first album, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.” Additionally, in a 2022 interview with People, McEntire credited Parton for inspiring her to continue her career despite her age, stating, “As long as we can do what we do and still enjoy it, we can continue doing it.”

Furthermore, in 2021, the two icons collaborated on a revival of McEntire’s 1993 song, “Does He Love You.” In a behind-the-scenes video posted on YouTube, they proved how much they enjoyed each other’s company as well as working together. It’s clear that despite media reports, there is no bad blood between McEntire and Parton, but rather a deep bond of mutual respect and lasting friendship.