No suicide, no drugs insist Gately family

Published on Sunday 11 October 2009 22:24

TRIBUTES flooded in yesterday after Boyzone singer Stephen Gately died while on holiday.

The 33-year-old Irish pop star and actor was in Majorca with his long-term partner when he died on Saturday.

Details of his death remain a mystery, but police say there were no signs of suspicious circumstances.

And sources close to the investigation said last night the singer had choked on his own vomit.

Last night, his family insisted drugs had not been a factor in the singer's death.

Speaking for the family, Irish solicitor and family friend Gerald Kean also ruled out suicide. "There's no foul play involved and it's not suicide. It's just a tragic accident," he said.

Mr Kean said a post-mortem examination of Gately's body was expected tomorrow, and he attributed the death to natural causes.

Last night, Simon Cowell, sitting alongside fellow judges Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole on the X Factor show, said Gately's death was "really, really, tragic" and sent his condolences to the star's family, but added: "The show must go on."

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, the fourth judge on the programme, had pulled out earlier yesterday, saying he had been left "very shocked and exceptionally upset" by the singer's death.

Cowell said his thoughts were with Walsh, whom, he said, was "incredibly close" to Gately.

Sir Elton John also paid tribute to the performer.

He said: "David (Furnish, his partner] 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."

Gately shot to fame in the 1990s as a member of Irish band Boyzone.

He sent ripples through the pop music world ten years ago when he announced he was gay, then married his partner, Andrew Cowles, in a civil ceremony in 2006.

A Spanish police spokesman said Gately had died at 1:45pm in his house in Port Andratx, and added: "At the moment, it is not known how he died. There are no signs of suspicious circumstances."

The remaining members of Boyzone paid tribute to their "friend and brother, Stephen", as they made their way to Majorca yesterday.

Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch said in a statement: "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."

Gately joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland's first boy band. The group went on to enjoy huge success, with six number-one singles, but split up in 2000. They reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date "Better" tour failed to fill stadiums, despite the offer of free tickets.

Gately also starred in West End musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He last posted a message on his Twitter page on 6 October, writing: "Still busy, lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."