Oh dear dear me… another tragic loss to the colourful world of showbiz and music…
I’m not exactly a huge fan of Stephen (I’m a Ronan rooter) but I must say that he completed the Boyzone band. They made great music together. When I was in high school, me and the babester would pass time and entertain each other by belting out their current hits (much to the dismay of our pals sitting in front of us). I wonder what will happen to them now…
First Heath.. then MJ.. Farrah Fawcett.. Patrick Swayze.. and now Stephen…
2009 seems to be a year where beautiful talents bid farewell…
Rest in peace, Stephen.
News on his sudden death below.
* * * * * * *
By Dan Wootton, News of the World
BOYZONE star Stephen Gately died suddenly yesterday at the age of just 33, the News of the World can reveal.
Last night the cause of his death was unclear.
A close friend said it appeared Stephen died after going out in Majorca, where he was on holiday.
“It looks like he went out for a few drinks, then got back, fell asleep and never woke up,” the pal said.
Early this morning Boyzone manager Louis Walsh told us: “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.
“I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man.”
All four remaining members of Boyzone – who recently reunited – will be flying to Palma, Majorca tomorrow.
Boyzone star Shane Lynch said: “Me and the boys are flying out in the morning.
“We just need to get over to where he’s passed and work out what we need to do.”
Ronan Keating, who is in Chicago, has been left devastated.
A pal revealed: “Ronan is completely distraught. No-one saw this coming. He loved Stephen like a brother, they were so close, it’s absolutely floored him. “It’s a massive shock to everyone and no one can take it in yet. He was a man in the prime of his life, and this is a huge tragedy.”
He leaves a partner Andrew Cowles, who he married in a civil union in March, 2006.
The gay singer’s coming out ten years ago caused a sensation in the pop music world.
Gately joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland’s first boyband.
The band went on to have huge success.
Six of their singles reached number one, including “Stay” in 2001.
Stephen Gately – 1976-2009
Gately was born in Ireland in March 1976 and joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland’s first boyband.
He and Ronan Keating shared lead vocals and band had huge success with six singles reaching reaching number one, including “Stay” in 2001.
The band decided in 2000 to move on to solo projects. Gately was the first with his debut solo single titled New Beginning and later a debut solo album of the same name.
He went on to appear in various stage productions including starring in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Gately hit the head lines in June 1999 when he admitted he was gay in our sister paper the Sun disappointing hundreds of his girl fans. His manager Louis Walsh was unaware of Gately’s sexuality when he selected him for the band and has said that, had he known, he would have thought twice before picking him, citing that “it wasn’t cool then to have a gay guy in a band
Gately wed Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.
Boyzone got back together in 2008 and Gately was enjoying the second coming when he tragically died last night in Majorca. This year in had made his film debut in the horror movie Credo
Last week he attended the Pride of Britain Awards and the band were intending on bringing out a new album in 2010
looks like i'm not alone in rooting for Ronan 😛
which pals did you meant in “our pals sitting in front of us”?
😉
i used to like him a lot and stop when i found out he was gay.but i still adore him as a singer.sob.