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Stars including SIR ELTON JOHN have paid tribute to late BOYZONE star STEPHEN GATELY who died suddenly on Saturday (10Oct09).
The 33 year old reportedly passed away in his sleep in Majorca, Spain, where he was on vacation with his partner Andrew Cowles.
Gately’s bandmates confirmed the sad news with a posting on the reformed Irish boyband’s website. The statement reads, "We are truly sorry to confirm that Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday, with his partner Andrew, in Majorca. (We) are devastated by the news and send (our) deepest sympathies to Stephen’s family and his many friends all over the world." The other boyband members are planning to fly to Majorca to mourn with the singer’s family and friends.
Lead singer Ronan Keating is expected to pull out of his run in the Chicago Marathon in Illinois on Sunday (11Oct09) to join his bandmates in Spain.
Gately’s close pal Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish were among the first to pay tribute to the tragic singer.
The Rocket Man says in a statement, "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." Former Irish leader Bertie Ahern has also sent his sympathies: "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. It’s just such a tragedy." Boyzone manager Louis Walsh adds, "We’re all absolutely devastated. 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… He was a great man." The pop star hit the headlines a decade ago (99) when he ‘came out’ as a gay man and revealed his love for Dutch pop star Eloy de Jong in a British tabloid. The couple split in 2002.
In March, 2006 he wed businessman Andrew Cowles in a civil union.
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1976, Gately joined Boyzone in 1993. As a member of the group, he enjoyed a string of hits in Britain and Europe and four number one albums before the band split in 2000.
As well as his career with the boyband, Gately also enjoyed solo success with his hit album New Beginning and forged a career on the stage as the star of London’s Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as the villain in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
He was also a TV personality in Britain, appearing on hit U.K. shows including Dancing on Ice and soccer programme Match of The Day.

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