Boyzone star's body was 'cold and white'

Published on Monday 12 October 2009 21:34

A MAN who was at Stephen Gately's Majorca apartment the night he died has described seeing the Boyzone star's lifeless body.

Georgi Dochev, 25, said the singer was "very cold and white". He told reporters: "I almost have not slept since this happened.

"I found Stephen dead and I woke his husband. I am still nervous and really upset."

Bulgarian Mr Dochev is believed to have accompanied Gately and his partner, Andrew Cowles, back to the apartment in the resort of Port Andratx in the early hours of Saturday after a night out.

He confirmed he had spoken to police who are investigating the death.

Gately's devastated bandmates, who flew out to the Spanish island yesterday, returned home tonight, a spokesman said.

Gately's family remain in Ireland and have rejected claims that he died after a marathon drinking session.

A family spokesman said reports of "an eight-hour drinking session" were not true.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of Gately's sudden death is due to take place today.

Spanish police said there were "no signs of suspicious circumstances" after Gately, 33, was found dead at his home on Saturday afternoon.

The Gately family spokesman, lawyer Gerald Kean, said: "An eight-hour drinking session is something we do not accept. Wherever that is coming from, our information would suggest that is simply wrong."

Meanwhile, Gately's brother Tony has flown from his home in Dalkeith, Midlothian, with wife Claire and their two young sons to be with his grieving family in Dublin.