Stephen Gately, a singer with the Irish boy band Boyzone, died yesterday while on vacation on the Spanish island of Majorca, according to a post by the group on its official Website today. He was 33.
While Boyzone declined to give further details about the cause of death, the rest of the members of the group—Shane Lynch, Mickey Graham, Keith Duffy, and and Ronan Keaning—released the following 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. 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.’”
Gately had been in Majorca with his partner Andrew Cowles at the time of his death, according to the band’s website statement. The pair were wed in a civil ceremony in 2006.
Boyzone was a U.K. success in the 1990s and was one of the biggest acts to come out of Ireland in that decade, although they never had much success in the United States. After disbanding in 2000, Gately had put out several solo singles and appeared in musical productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The group reunited last year for a comeback concert tour.
More on Stephen Gately from EW’s Music Mix:
Stephen Gately: Why his death is today’s biggest story in the U.K.
Comments (1-30) of 61 Add your comment
Stephen has such a fantastic personality -and a even more wonderful voice. My heart goes out to Andrew, his family and his Boyzone brothers – such a sad loss – 33 is way to young to go!!
I had the biggest crush on him growing up! This is soooooooo sad!!!
I am so sad that stephen died i was crying today when i heard that stephen passt away. had he was my favite singer and now he is gone. i email me him when i was 15 years old. and he emial me back and i send me a priture of him self in the bath tub nothing on him. i will miss him so much. i hope boyzone wont broke up again. because stephen wont like that if they do. because stephen would like them to keep singing for his scake. i am going to miss you so much stephen love from siobhan xxxx
i am sorry to hear about stephen he was a really good single when i saw boyzone in june 09 he will be missed very much xxx Amy
So sad, RIP Stephen. 33 is too young to die.
Well, that’s really sad. Not what I was expecting to see when I clicked on this website today. My thoughts are with his partner, family, and friends.
cud not give amonkeys
d*ck!! then why are u reading this story?
couldn’t agree more why read the story if your not interested and then take the time to post your pathetic comment (paul).
RIP stephen x
Don’t worry about it Joe…I’m sure there will be an infinite number of people who won’t give a monkeys-whatever when paul kicks the bucket.
that is really sad man if you couldnt give a monkeys then why read this in the first place?
you must be a really sad old and alone geezer to waste the time on your hands with this paul.
how would you like it if someone said that about your death? i doubt you would like it.
I’m in shock never thought about him dieing I was like their biggest fan and I was mad about Stephen I’m so sad that he died.. Il always remember him backstage after boyzones concerts and he just made me laugh so much.. It’s my dearist memorys.. R.I.P Stephen Gatley. Gone but never forgotten
.. Xxxx
Boyzone i loved them when iwas in mt teens i cant belive stephen is dead we will miss you R.I.P STEPNENXXXXXX
Shocking news. Very talented guy. RIP Stephen.
you were my fave x
Just heard the sad news, RIP Stephan, so young to die, my thoughts are with his partner, family & friends, especially the rest of the guys from Boyzone, love & peace always x
this is so sad nearly fainted when i got the news, he was always my favourite and always seemed to be such a nice guy! R.I.P stephen xx
i cant believe it he died at the age on 33
R.I.P STEPHEN GATELY xxxxx
For those of us who live in the United States, we will truly miss an extremely talented young man. My prayers and those of my family who listened to Boyzone and Stephen’s solo album will truly miss him. Our hearts go out to his partner and his family. Rest in Peace Stephen Gately!!!!
I can’t believe he is dead, it was a shock when i heard about stephen. I meet boyzone years ago. I am a big big fan of them. R.I.P
RIP Stephen, a shining light extinguished too soon. Such a genuine lovely person.
So shocked and sad to hear about stephen. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time but i guess its true what they say “only the good die young” RIP x x x x x
RIP Stephen you will be sadly missed my thousands. My thoughts are with Andrew his Family and the other bands members. You must of been a very special person stephen and to die so young is very sad but god obviously needed you up above x
I was shocked to hear this–He had a fantastic voice and tremendous charisma. I first saw Boyzone on PBS at the concert for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th birthday and was struck by how well they came across. I heard some of his solo work and was very impressed–he’ll be missed.
To stephens and Andrews familys and friends. Im so sorry to hear on what has happend to stephen who was so young, fantastic on what he did as a job and being a loverble person that at lot of people did love…. My heart go’s out to the family and friends i will miss you stephen and i hope to keep incontact with family or friends for if they would like some support lol take care stephen
So how exctly did he die…? I be confuzzled…
R.I.P. though dude
he made me and lots of people verry hapy he will be sadly missed by us all love to all his family and the boys all are thoughts are with u all at this extremely sad time RIP stephen
RIP STEPHEN SO VERY SAD
this is a sad time for everyone but especially his family and friends and his partner us fans will miss him 2 he was a great person n will always be in our hearts my sympathy goes out to his family friends and the boys RIP stephen
R.I.P you were a star and such a nice guy. My heart goes out to your partner, family and friends. xx
A zialo hle mai,han zai leh hlai hlai se tha tur
i was sad when i heard the news rest in peace stevo always think of u
This is terrible for his fans & loved ones. May he rest in peace.
Such sad news; seemed like such a sweet person with such a beautiful voice. “No Matter What” is a great song. 2009 has been such a bad year it seems for untimely deaths. R.I.P. Stephen
R.I.P Stephen Gately You Were A Wonderful Singer In Boyzone And You Had Such A Lovely Voice Never Gotten
My Heart Goes On To Your Patner And Family xxx