Sunday, 11 October 2009

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Boyzone star Stephen Gately found dead in Majorca

Singer fails to wake up in apartment on holiday

Stephen Gately 1976 - 2009

Boyzone's Stephen Gately has died.

The musician and actor, who was on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca with partner Andy Cowles, passed away in his sleep.

Stephen, who turned 33 in March, is reported to have returned to his accommodation after enjoying a few drinks, fallen asleep and failed to wake up again.

Spanish police investigating Stephen's death say there were 'no signs of suspicious circumstances'.

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh and bandmates Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch are in shock. The Boyz are travelling to Majorca today.

'We're all absolutely devastated,' says Louis. '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.'

Stephen 'came out' about his sexuality in 1999. He and Andy exchanged vows at a wedding chapel in Las Vegas in 2003 and  made their relationship formal with a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.

'Stephen was a very talented and much loved client and it was our great pleasure to work with him,' say Caroline de Wolfe and Rosemary Reed of agents Back Door Management.

'Our thoughts and condolences are extended to his loved ones at this very distressing time.'

Pictured below: Stephen Gately, Louis Walsh and Andy Cowles

SEE PHOTOS Stephen Gately - a life in pictures>>