Boyzone dumped by Louis Walsh, told to split

Boyzone have reportedly been ditched by manager Louis Walsh and advised to split up.

Low ticket sales for their latest tour and Ronan Keating's affair with a dancer were blamed for the move, the News of the World reports.

"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 close friend of Keating's insisted that Boyzone will 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."

The band included a tribute to Stephen Gately in their 'Brother' tour, following his death in Majorca in 2009.

Ed Westwick, the next Romeo

Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick is being lined up to star as Tybalt in a new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Variety reports that Westwick is currently in final negotiations for the part, famously played by John Leguizamo in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation.

If cast, Westwick is likely to star opposite True Grit actress Hailee Steinfeld who is said to be the studio's first choice to portray Juliet.

Fluke director Carlo Carlei is scheduled to helm the project from a script by Gosford Park writer Julian Fellowes.

The Piano star Holly Hunter has also been cast in the key role of Juliet's nurse.

Steinfeld recently confirmed that the studio had yet to cast anyone in the lead role of Romeo.

Romeo and Juliet is due to begin filming later this year.