Star tributes as Boyzone’s gentlest soul Gately dies

Last night the band’s former manager and X Factor judge Louis Walsh pulled out of appearing on the live results show after being left "very shocked and exceptionally upset".

A spokesman for the police in Spain said Gately died in his house in Port Andratx on the western side of the island, and added: "At the moment it is not known how he died. There are no signs of suspicious circumstances."

It is believed a post mortem examination might not be held until tomorrow due to a public holiday on the island today. It is thought that Gately had been on a night out with his partner just hours before the tragedy.

Family friend Gerald Kean said the death was a "tragic accident". Mr Kean, who was asked by Gately’s family to speak on their behalf, said: "There’s no foul play involved and it’s not suicide. It’s just a tragic accident is what we’ve been told and we’re happy that that is correct information.

"There is nothing untoward, it’s not drugs, we don’t believe, it’s not suicide, it’s not murder, it’s not a fight. That’s what we’ve been told."

The remaining members of Boyzone yesterday paid tribute to Gately, as they prepared to make their way to Majorca.

Frontman Ronan Keating was said to be "totally devastated" and cut short a trip to Chicago where he was due to compete in the city’s annual marathon.

Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch 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’."

Musical impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber said Gately was "enormously talented".

He said: "I very much enjoyed working with him on Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Boyzone hit No Matter What -- my biggest selling single.

"My wife Madeleine and I got to know him well over the years, entertaining him at our Sydmonton Festival. His death is a great loss to the musical world."

The members of Irish boyband Westlife, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan, said Gately helped pave the way for them in the music industry and was a "friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer".

"We are, like everyone else, in shock," they said. "Himself and the Boyzone lads paved the way for us as a band."

Sir Elton said: " David (Furnish) and I are stunned by this tragedy. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern also paid tribute to Gately, whose family live is in his constituency.

"I know the family, I know Stephen. Ronan Keating is a very good friend of my daughter’s, my family," he said.

"He (Gately) was with us the other night with his boyfriend Andy, he came to my book launch."

Mr Ahern, whose daughter Georgina is married to Nicky Byrne, added: "Boyzone and Stephen, they’ve all been part of Irish life and far wider than that, the last 15 years, and so successful, so it’s a huge, huge tragedy. It’s so sad."

Louis Walsh heard about Gately’s death in the early hours of yesterday. Walsh, said: "We’re all absolutely devastated. I’m in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony."

Gately, who entered into a civil union with his partner Andrew in 2006, joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland’s first boyband.

The band went on to enjoy huge success with six number one singles and sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s. They split in 2000 but reunited seven years later, although their recent 19-date Better tour failed to fill stadiums, despite free ticket offers.

Their latest album, a greatest hits compilation, was due to be released tomorrow.

‘His death has come as such a shock to me’

I was just 13 when my love affair with Boyzone began.With posters of them adorning every inch of my bedroom walls, I simply lived and breathed Boyzone from the very beginning. My favourites were Ronan Keating and Stephen Gately, which is why the 33-year-old’s death has come as such a shock to me.

As a teenager in the early 90s, I was desperate to meet them. And my dream actually came true when I won a competition to join them on the BBC’s Live and Kicking show.

There I was on a sofa with the boys as they answered questions, and then one by one they hugged and kissed me. I can remember Stephen saying how tall I was, but I don’t think I managed to say much myself as I was just so starstruck.

When I was presented with a pair of Ronan’s red leather trousers, which he had worn on tour, it was just the best thing that had ever happened to me. I went to see them about half a dozen times and while the posters might have been taken down now, I am still a fan.

At the time of their comeback in 2008 I was working as a journalist and was thrilled when I managed to speak to one of the band, Keith Duffy, for an article. Then through contacts, earlier this year I secured a second meeting with them backstage ahead of their sell-out gig at Glasgow’s SECC.

I’m 28 now, but it was just like going back to my childhood when they emerged for a meet and greet.

I particularly remember Stephen taking time out to talk to 10-year-old Melissa Orr from Beith in Ayrshire. She is fighting a brain tumour, and got to cuddle up to her Boyzone hero.

He just seemed so natural, and, despite his fame, came across as a genuinely nice guy.

When I woke up to the news that Stephen had died, I was in total shock.

While we await details of exactly how he died, as a fan I can’t imagine it being down to a rock and roll lifestyle, as he just didn’t seem the type.

Just what happens next for the four remaining band members is anyone’s guess.