POP superstar Ronan Keating last night paid his own special tribute to Rhona, describing her as an inspiration to all who met her.Rhona wrote to the Irish star, who lost his own mother to breast cancer and is a great supporter of cancer charities, in 2004 to ask whether he would write the foreword on her book Sit Down and Stop Laughing.

POP superstar Ronan Keating last night paid his own special tribute to Rhona, describing her as an inspiration to all who met her.

Rhona wrote to the Irish star, who lost his own mother to breast cancer and is a great supporter of cancer charities, in 2004 to ask whether he would write the foreword on her book Sit Down and Stop Laughing.

He kindly agreed and penned a beautiful introduction, touching on the death of his own mother and praising Rhona's courage and spirit.

Rhona and her family met the popstar for the first time at a concert at Wembley Arena at the end of 2004.

Before he went on stage, the singer signed autographs for friends and family and chatted to Rhona about her book.

Last night, the former Boyzone frontman spoke of his sadness at hearing she had lost her battle.

“Rhona was an inspiration to all who entered her world. I was lucky enough to meet Rhona several times over the past two years and it's devastating to hear she has lost her brave fight,” he said.

“My thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Rhona and Ronan were able to meet again on numerous occasions, including at Newmarket Racecourse last summer where he dedicated his song Baby Can I Hold You Tonight? to her.

Rhona watched the show from the hospitality suite and met him backstage before and after the show.

She told the EADT: “It was a really magical moment. There were 20,000 people there and he dedicated a song to me.”