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Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies | Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies |
(30 minutes later) | |
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately has been found dead at the age of 33. He died on Saturday while on holiday in Majorca. | |
Spanish police said there were no signs of suspicious circumstances but that the cause of death was not yet known. | |
Gately was on holiday with his long-term partner Andy Cowles. A statement from the singer's bandmates said they were "devastated" at the news. | |
They are expected to travel to Majorca. The Irish band had six UK number one hits in the 1990s and reformed in 2007. | |
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 | 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 band's statement 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." | |
Police said they were called to a house near Port d'Andratx on the western tip of the island on Saturday afternoon. | |
"At the moment it is not known how he died," the police spokesman said. "There are no signs of suspicious circumstances." | |
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear as a judge on The X Factor results show on Sunday, told the News of the World 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." |
Bertie Ahern, former Irish Taoiseach, described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture. | |
Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. | 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." | "We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere." |
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." | 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. | |
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. | |
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." | 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." |