Cancer fears ... Ronan says he is a worrier like his mum Marie who died two years ago

In his seven years with Boyzone, Ronan Keating has notched up 11 top-ten hits and four No1 albums, selling more than 12 million copies worldwide.

The pin-up has also enjoyed a successful solo career, with two No1 singles and a No1 album - and he still finds time to manage boy band Westlife.

At just 23, Ronan has two luxury homes and lives a jet-set lifestyle with pregnant wife Yvonne and their 18-month-old son Jack. Now he has written his life story, Life Is A Rollercoaster - the same title as his current hit single.

He tells in his own words about his childhood in Ireland as the youngest of five kids, his rise to stardom and the tragic death of his beloved mother Marie from breast cancer two years ago.

Tomorrow we will publish photos from Ronan's book.

Here, he shares his thoughts on his amazing life in an exclusive interview.

RONAN KEATING has revealed he is terrified cancer will kill him like it did his beloved "Mam".

The heart-throb singer admits he is even scared to go for check-ups - because he fears doctors might tell him he has the disease.

Ronan's mum Marie died from breast cancer two years ago aged just 54 and he is still grieving.

The Irish hunk, whose wife Yvonne is expecting their second child in February, says: "I really worry about getting cancer myself. I always worry.

"I'm like my mother - she was a terrible worrier and I am scared, especially in this generation when cancer is so rampant for both men and women.

"A lot of guys think cancer is a woman's disease because of breast cancer but men get it just as much as anyone else. It is scary and you have to be careful. "

"I don't have as many check-ups as I should - I can't bring myself to have more. I get scared about them. "

"I have to admit I'm also concerned about my wife and kids and what will happen when the children grow up."

Ronan's moving account of his mother's terrible illness and death forms a tear-jerking chapter in his book.

He has set up a charity in her name to help detect breast cancer earlier.

And he admitted that after two years his feelings over his mother's death are deepening rather than fading. Ronan says: "It's kind of more difficult now than before, with Jack and, please God, the new baby in February.

"It gets harder and harder - I want her to be there. The older you get, the more you want your parents to be part of your life, and she is not."

"It is very difficult to deal with that. Every day I realise what she has missed out on."

That includes an amazing professional success mixed with a loving home life away from the glitz and glamour.

Ronan said he is still overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a dad for the second time.

He said: "It is a wonderful feeling - a feeling of great pride and excitement."

"It is all your emotions, but you don't even realise it until nine months later when you are holding the baby. We were trying for a baby, so it did not come as a great surprise, but we are both thrilled. "

"We don't know what it will be, and don't really want to know, but if it is a girl we will call her Marie after my mum. "

"I think it is important for kids to be around kids. I want lots of children but we are sticking with two for now - and then we will see."

Ronan's workload is phenomenal - he has had just four days' holiday this year and does not expect to have any more time off until Christmas.

The schedule has seen him sell off nine of his 11 cars because he does not have time to drive them.

But he refuses to moan about the hard work - which includes 16-hour days - because he knows his continuing success depends on it.

Instead he tries to incorporate his family life into his professional commitments as much as possible so his marriage and his life with Jack do not suffer.

Ronan said: "I hate being away from Yvonne and Jack so I try to make sure they always travel with me. "

"If I am going to Asia, like I am next week, it is not possible for them to travel with me, so I make those trips very short. "

"When I am not with Yvonne I speak to her twenty times a day - thank God for mobile phones."

He added: "Of course I worry about my career disappearing but I work hard to make sure it does not. "

"Without it I don't know what I'd do - I love every aspect of this job. "

"I have not had time to spend any money - I'm just too busy trying to make a living." Despite his amazing success as a solo artist, Ronan insists Boyzone will carry on.

And he reveals that the book will show that the band are "more rock and roll than anyone thinks."

He said: "We have not split up and hopefully we will do something after the summer next year. I miss the boys but I enjoy the freedom and the control I have alone."P

"My solo career has really taken off around the rest of the world, which is a first for me. It is really kicking off in Europe, Australia and even America."

"I can't believe all these great things that are happening to me - I only wish my mam was here to see it."

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