Boyzone's Stephen Gately found dead in bed at 33 after holiday night out with his husband
By Carol Driver
Last updated at 12:52 PM on 11th October 2009
Boyzone star Stephen Gately has been found dead in his bed after a night out with his husband - he was just 33.
The gay singer never woke up after going to bed while on holiday in Port Andratxa, south-west Majorca.
It is not known what caused his death, although it is believed he had been drinking.
The four other members of the multi-million selling band, including Ronan Keating, are said to be devastated. They will be flying out to the Spanish island today.
A statement on Boyzone's official website confirmed the Irish performer's sudden death.
It said: 'Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with his partner Andrew in Majorca. The rest of the boys will be flying out today.'
Stephen Gately and Ronan Keating at the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday - the last photo taken of Stephen while he was alive
Spanish Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Gately, who caused a sensation in pop when he announced he came out ten years ago wed Andrew Cowles in 2003.
They had a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas and a more formal civil partnership ceremony in London in March 2006.
Gately attended ITV1's Pride Of Britain Awards with former band member Ronan Keating on Monday - it was the last time he was photographed alive.
Sky News reported that Gately had gone out out for drinks with Cowles, returned to his accommodation and gone to sleep.
The remaining members of Boyzone - Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham - will be flying to Palma, today.
Ronan Keating, who is in Chicago, is said to be 'completely devastated'.
Shane Lynch told the News of the World: '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.'
Born in Dublin, Gately joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert to audition for Ireland's first boyband. The group achieved international fame as well as six UK No.1s - including Words, No Matter What, All That Matters To Me and You Needed Me.
In 1999, they released When The Going Gets Tough, which topped the charts, for the charity Comic Relief.
Boyzone made a comeback tour in 2007, inspired by the success of Take That. However, their 19-date Better gigs failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.
When the band split up in 2000, Gately, who was involved in singing and acting as a child, was the first to launch a solo career with his debut album New
The Irish boyband, managed by Louis Walsh, formed in 1993
Back Again: Boyzone members Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately and Shane Lynch performing at the O2 in London last year
However, he was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three Top 20 singles - New Beginning, Stay and I Believe, which featured on the soundtrack to the film Billy Elliot.
He had success as a performer in the West End in productions of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in which he performed the lead role.
Gately also appeared on ITV's reality series Dancing On Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party. In recent years, Gately had been writing a children's fantasy novel called The Tree of Seasons.
A spokesman for Boyzone confirmed the death but details are yet to emerge.
His last message on the social networking site Twitter, posted on October 6, said: "Still busy - lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.'
Boyzone meeting the Prince of Wales after performing in the Party In The Park, in aid of the Prince's Trust in 1998
Source: Daily Mail