X Factor judge and Boyzone manager Louis Walsh says he is afraid of falling apart at Stephen Gately's funeral.

Louis - who has canceled his appearance on the X Factor for the second week in a row says he can't believe that Stephen has gone.

"Seeing his body at the funeral will hit me hard because it still hasn't sunk that he's gone," he said.

"They asked me to get involved but I couldn't," he said. "I thought I'd break down."

"The emotions and nerves would be worse than any X Factor show.

"I don't like real life, that's why I love the pop business. In my little world nobody dies and nobody gets sick. I should have more sense but that's the way I am."