Saturday, 17 October 2009

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Stephen Gately's funeral held today in Dublin

Fans gather to celebrate the life of the Boyzone star

Boyzone's Stephen Gately's funeral took place in Dublin today.

The musician and actor passed away from natural causes at the age of 33 while on holiday on the Spanish island of Majorca with partner Andrew Cowles.

The ceremony was held at St Laurence O'Toole's Church in Dublin at midday. The singer will be cremated at Glasnevin Cemetery.

Bandmates Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch carried Stephen's coffin into the church on Friday, when a small private service took place for friends and family.

The Boyz stayed with his body overnight. 

'They brought a bottle of wine in, they cried, they laughed, they cried, they are a very close bunch of mates,' Boyzone's backing musician James McNally tells the BBC.

'Stephen inspired you to be happy - you just wanted to hug him when you saw him. He stuck out and was someone you'd never forget.'

Ronan, who joined his bandmates to sing Westlife's In This Life during today's service, addressed the mourners.

'The world has lost one of it's brightest stars, we have lost our brother,' he said.

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh attended the funeral and will not be appearing on The X Factor tonight.

SEE PHOTOS Stephen Gately - a life in pictures>>