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Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies
(about 1 hour later)
The Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, has been found dead while on holiday in Majorca. Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, has been found dead while on holiday.
The group's tour website said that he had "tragically died" and that the rest of the band would be flying out to Majorca on Sunday. Gately was in Majorca with his long-term partner Andy Cowles when he died on Saturday, the band's website said.
The website also said Gately had been on holiday with his long-term partner Andy Cowles when he died on Saturday. A spokesman for lead singer Ronan Keating said he was "totally devastated" and was returning from the US to join the group in Majorca.
Boyzone announced their comeback tour last November. The Irish band had six UK number one hits from 1994 to 2000. Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach, said Gately's death was a "huge loss". The Irish band had six UK number one hits in the 1990s and reformed last year.
still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here [sic] Gately's last Twitter post, 6 October In pictures: Stephen Gately Tributes paid to singer Gately Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here Gately's last Twitter post, 6 October In pictures: Stephen Gately Tributes paid to singer Gately
The News of the World's showbusiness editor Dan Wootton told BBC News Gately had gone out for drinks, returned to his accommodation and gone to sleep, but never woke up. A statement from the band said: "Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane are devastated by the news and send their deepest sympathies to Stephen's family and his many friends all over the world."
No details about the cause of death have been released.
The News of the World's showbusiness editor Dan Wootton told BBC News that Gately had gone out for drinks, returned to his accommodation and gone to sleep, but never woke up.
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear as a judge on The X Factor results show on Sunday, told the newspaper: "We're all absolutely devastated."Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear as a judge on The X Factor results show on Sunday, told the newspaper: "We're all absolutely devastated."
He said: "I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.He said: "I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.
Boyzone (Gately on far left) reunited last yearBoyzone (Gately on far left) reunited last year
"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man.""I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."
Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said: "He's a performer with the word 'boy' in his professional title and boys aren't supposed to die. Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul.
"This is way too soon and way too unspecific for us to feel that this is at all the right thing to happen. "We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."
"It's sad on a personal level and a professional level." Mr Ahern described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture.
The former Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture.
HAVE YOUR SAY It's quite a shock. He had the best voice out of the band Caroline, Bedfordshire HAVE YOUR SAY It's quite a shock. He had the best voice out of the band Caroline, Bedfordshire
Writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, broadcaster Stephen Fry said: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately.Writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, broadcaster Stephen Fry said: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately.
"What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed.""What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed."
Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said: "It's sad on a personal level and a professional level."
Boyzone sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s, he said, and had 16 Top 5 singles.Boyzone sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s, he said, and had 16 Top 5 singles.
Going soloGoing solo
A year before Boyzone split, Gately revealed that he was gay and had a boyfriend, in June 1999.A year before Boyzone split, Gately revealed that he was gay and had a boyfriend, in June 1999.
Gately and Cowles tied the knot in 2006Gately and Cowles tied the knot in 2006
He later held a private civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.He later held a private civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.
After Boyzone, Gately continued his career as a solo artist, but was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three Top 20 singles.After Boyzone, Gately continued his career as a solo artist, but was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three Top 20 singles.
He enjoyed further success performing in musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003-04.He enjoyed further success performing in musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003-04.
Gately also appeared in 2007 on ITV1's reality series Dancing on Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party.Gately also appeared in 2007 on ITV1's reality series Dancing on Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party.
His last message on Twitter, posted on 6 October, said: "still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here" (sic) His last message on Twitter, posted on 6 October, said: "Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."