MADRID (AFP) - – Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, died on
Saturday while on holiday in Majorca off the coast of Spain, the
Irish band with a string of hits in the 1990s said on its
website.
"Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with his
partner Andrew in Majorca," the site said on Sunday.
The Boyzone members, including lead singer Ronan Keating, were
heading to Majorca following news of the death.
The circumstances surrounding Gately's death remained unclear
but (Britain's) News of the World newspaper reported he died after
a night out.
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh 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 was a great man."
Speaking to the newspaper late Saturday, band member Shane Lynch
said: "Me and the boys are flying out in the morning.
"We just need to get over to where he's passed and work out what
we need to do."
Gately, who married his partner Andrew Cowles in a civil union
in 2006, sent ripples through the pop music world 10 years ago when
he announced that he was gay.
He joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to
audition for Ireland's first boyband.
The band went on to enjoy huge success with six number one
singles in Britain, but split up in 2000.
They reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date Better
tour failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.
Gately also starred in West End musicals in London, including
"Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".
Boyzone lead singer Keating was "completely distraught", the
News of the World said, and former Irish prime minister Bertie
Ahern paid tribute to Gately, whom he knew, on the BBC's Andrew
Marr show.
He said: "The Gatelys are in my own constituency. I know the
family, I know Stephen.
"He (Gately) was with us the other night with his boyfriend
Andy, he came to my book launch."
Ahern, whose daughter Georgina is married to Nicky Byrne of
boyband Westlife, continued: "It's just such a tragedy.
"Boyzone and Stephen, they've all been part of Irish life and
far wider than that, the last 15 years, and so successful, so it's
a huge, huge tragedy. It's so sad."
Gately last posted a message on his Twitter page on October 6,
writing: "Still busy, lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book
next so may be quiet here."
British actor and comedian Stephen Fry said on Twitter that he
was shocked at the news.
"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."
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Stephen Gately~~~ my fave in Boyzone~! OMG~~~
