RONAN KEATING - RONAN SPLITS FROM MANAGER LOUIS

Irish heart-throb RONAN KEATING has split from manager LOUIS WALSH following an angry outburst.

The former BOYZONE frontman fought with the pop svengali over details in his new contract which Ronan later refused to sign. Married dad-of-two Ronan wanted to reduce Louis's cut of his earnings from 20 per cent to just 10 per cent, and the ensuing argument saw the LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER star storm out of the meeting.

A friend comments, "Ronan says he wants to be a credible singer and write most of his own material. He's told his record company POLYDOR that he doesn't want to sing cover versions anymore. But he just doesn't get it. Louis has made him who he is and they've both made millions from Boyzone, as well as from Ronan's amazing solo career.

"It's just amazing that he now wants to do this. Surely he could still do it with Louis on board. Louis has always stuck by Ronan from day one so they've been through a lot together, but he was adamant he wanted a new direction and his ex-manager wasn't in the plan."

Boyzone's former tour manager MARK PLUNKETT is now taking care of him.