48 years old (Born on March 17, 1976)
Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Dancer, Musician, Author; He is famous from Boyzone.
An investigation into the death of the pop star Stephen Gately at his holiday apartment in Majorca will focus on a night out with his partner, Andrew Cowles.
The police said that there was no suicide note or sign of violence when Gately was found by Mr Cowles on Saturday afternoon. A Bulgarian man who had been invited back to the couple’s £1 million apartment on Majorca early on Saturday is being sought by the police.
A police source said: “We do not think this man is involved in any way in Stephen’s death but his testimony could prove vital.”
Gately and Mr Cowles had spent Friday night out drinking before returning to their apartment in the upmarket resort of Port d’Andratx in the early hours of Saturday. The police were called at 1.45pm. A source who was called to the scene said: “There was no suicide note or evidence of any drug use or excessive drinking and the dead man’s friends were at a loss to explain what had happened. All we know is that they had gone out the night before till late and had quite a few drinks, and raised the alert when they found Stephen dead.”
The singer is reported to have been in his pyjamas. “He was in a strange position,” an investigator said. “He was squatting on the sofa, almost in a praying position.”
Pop stars and politicians joined in paying tribute yesterday to the singer, who was 33. The four remaining members of Boyzone flew to the island yesterday evening.
Bertie Ahern, the former Taoiseach, said: “He was 33 years of age, 15 years at the top, a fine musician, it’s just a huge tragedy to Irish entertainment, Irish music and further afield as well.”
Sir Elton John said that he and his partner, David Furnish, were stunned by the news. “Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul,” he said. “We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to his friends everywhere.”
Lord Lloyd-Webber said that Gately’s death was a great loss to the musical world.
Gately, who had a civil union with Mr Cowles in 2006, sent ripples through the pop world ten years ago when he said he was gay, an announcement considered significant because most of the band’s fans were girls.
The couple are thought to have bought the three-bedroom property less than a year ago.
An investigating judge has been placed in charge of the inquiry. The post-mortem examination is expected to be delayed until tomorrow because today is a Bank Holiday in Spain. The results and a toxicology report are due by Wednesday.
A source said that investigators would try to establish from relatives whether there was anything in the singer’s medical history that might explain his death.
Gerald Kean, an Irish solicitor asked by Gately’s family to speak on their behalf, said: “There’s no foul play and it’s not suicide. It’s just a tragic accident is what we’ve been told and we’re happy that is correct information. There is nothing untoward, it’s not drugs, it’s not murder, it’s not a fight. That’s what we’ve been told.”
The Boyzone members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham arrived at the apartment at 8.30pm local time, wearing dark clothes and sunglasses. They entered without saying anything.
Louis Walsh, the band’s manager and X Factor judge, pulled out of appearing on the hit ITV show last night. He was “very shocked and exceptionally upset” his spokeswoman said.
Simon Cowell paid tribute to the singer during the live broadcast of X Factor. He said that Gately’s death was “really, really, tragic” and sent his condolences to the singer’s family and Walsh, but added: “The show must go on.”
A message on Boyzone’s website read: “Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with his partner Andrew in Majorca. The rest of the boyz will be flying out today.”
Wellwishers started to leave flowers outside the flat yesterday.
Stephen Gately's Best Moments
