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Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies | Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies |
(40 minutes later) | |
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, has been found dead while on holiday. | |
Gately was in Majorca with his long-term partner Andy Cowles when he died on Saturday, the band's website said. | |
A spokesman for lead singer Ronan Keating said he was "totally devastated" and returning from the US to join the group in Majorca. | |
The Irish band had six UK number one hits and launched their comeback last year. Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach, said Gately's death was a "huge loss". | |
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 [sic] 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. | 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. |
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 year | Boyzone (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." |
Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. | |
"We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere." | |
Mr 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 solo | Going 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 2006 | Gately 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" |