Stephen Gately died this weekend, aged 33, in somewhat mysterious circumstances. The Boyzoner was on holiday in Majorca with his partner Andrew Cowles at the time of his death. Police were called to the apartment where he was staying at 1.45pm on Saturday afternoon, where he was found in his pyjamas in what investigators have described as a "strange position", almost "prayer like".
Although Gately had been out drinking with Cowles on Friday night there was nothing to suggest excessive alcohol consumption or drug use. Police also told The Times there was no suicide note, nor any signs of violence. It's hoped a post-mortem on Tuesday may throw some light onto what caused the pop star's sudden demise, meanwhile police are reportedly trying to establish whether the singer had had any medical conditions which may explain his death.
A statement from Gately's family ruled out both drugs and suicide, saying it was thought Stephen died of natural causes. Another representative said: "At the moment, it is not known how he died. There are no signs of suspicious circumstances".
Gately, of course, enjoyed much success as one fifth of Boyzone, taking the role as second singer behind Ronan Keating. The group scored six number one singles and four number one albums during their active period of 1993 and 2000. After the group split Gately attempted a solo career though with limited success. Probably best remembered is his track 'I Believe' which featured in the soundtrack to the film version of 'Billy Elliot'.
After being dropped by Polydor, Gately followed that other popular route for former teen pop stars, and enjoyed much success in various stage musicals. In 2007 his former bandmates put beside past grievances enabling a Boyzone reunion.
Perhaps the most memorable moment in Gately's career related to his personal life rather than his professional accomplishments. In June 1999 the singer came out via the pages of The Sun which led with the headline "Boyzone Stephen: I'm gay and I'm in love". Gately sold his story to the tabloid after hearing one of the band's former security guards was planning on flogging a story regarding the popster's sexuality. Despite having been slightly forced into revealing his sexuality, many in the gay community welcomed his honesty, he being the first British teen band star to come out while his group was still active.
At the time of The Sun story Gately was dating Eloy de Jong, who had been in the Dutch boy band Caught In The Act. They later split and Gately met Cowles via Elton John and David Furnish. The couple enterted into a civil partnership in 2006. In the months prior to his death Gately was working on a book project, a children's story called 'The Tree Of Seasons'.
Responding to the news, and paying tribute to their former bandmate, the rest of Boyzone issued a press statement as all four headed to Majorca to be closer to the investigation into Gately's passing. They said: "We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever, 'Steo'".
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who heard the news after Saturday night's edition of the 'X-Factor', and subsequently dropped out of the Sunday edition of the show, 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. We will rally around each other this week. He was a great man".
Also paying tribute was former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern who told reporters: "The Gatelys are in my own constituency. I know the family, I know Stephen. Ronan Keating is a very good friend of my daughter's, my family. He was with us the other night with his boyfriend Andy, he came to my book launch. It's just such a tragedy. Boyzone and Stephen have all been part of Irish life, and far wider than that, the last fifteen years, and so successful, so it's a huge, huge tragedy. It's so sad. He was 33 years of age, fifteen years at the top, a fine musician. It's just a huge tragedy to Irish entertainment, Irish music and further afield as well".