Boyzone (Gately on far left) reunited last year
Gately and Cowles tied the knot in 2006
Boyzone star Stephen Gately dies
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, has been found dead while on holiday.
Gately was in Majorca with his long-term partner Andy Cowles when he died on Saturday, the band's website said.
A spokesman for lead singer Ronan Keating said he was "totally devastated" and was returning from the US to join the group in Majorca.Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach, said Gately's death was a "huge loss". The Irish band had six UK number one hits in the 1990s and reformed last year.
A statement from the band said: "Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane are devastated by the news and send their deepest sympathies to Stephen's family and his many friends all over the world."
No details about the cause of death have been released.
The News of the World's showbusiness editor Dan Wootton told BBC News that Gately had gone out for drinks, returned to his accommodation and gone to sleep, but never woke up.Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear as a judge on The X Factor results show on Sunday, 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.
"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."
Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul.
"We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."
Mr Ahern described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture.
Writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, broadcaster Stephen Fry said: "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."
Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said: "It's sad on a personal level and a professional level."
Boyzone sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s, he said, and had 16 Top 5 singles.
Going solo
A year before Boyzone split, Gately revealed that he was gay and had a boyfriend, in June 1999.
He later held a private civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.
After Boyzone, Gately continued his career as a solo artist, but was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three Top 20 singles.
He enjoyed further success performing in musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003-04.
Gately also appeared in 2007 on ITV1's reality series Dancing on Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party.
His last message on Twitter, posted on 6 October, said: "Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here." source: BBC News
[ 本文被丹尼屎在2009-10-11 18:26重新編輯 ]
