Boyzone star Stephen Gately has died suddenly while on holiday in Majorca.The 33-year-old went to sleep after a night out but failed to wake up, according to the News of the World. The four remaining band members are flying out to the island today. Singer Ronan Keating is said to be "completely devastated" reports Sky News.
A message on the band's official website confirmed Gately's death: "Stephen tragically died whilst on holiday in Majorca yesterday. He was there with his partner Andrew. At present we don't have too many details. The rest of the boyz will be travelling to Majorca later this morning."
Gately married his partner Andrew Cowles in a civil union in March 2006. When the gay singer came out 10 years ago it caused a sensation in the pop music world.
Dan Wootton, showbiz editor of the News of the World, told Sky News how he spoke to Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh after the news of Gately's death broke. He said the X Factor judge told him: "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. "I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."
Band member Shane Lynch told the newspaper the rest of the band will now head out to Majorca. He told Wootton: "We just need to get over to where he's passed and work out what we need to do."
Gately also became a star in the West End, appearing as Joseph in and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and on television in ITV's Dancing on Ice. He last posted a message on his Twitter page on October 6, writing: "Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."
