Friends, fans and stars have paid tribute to
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who has
died suddenly at the age of 33 while on
holiday in Majorca.
Gately's bandmates described him as "our friend
and brother" and said he "lit up our lives and
those of the many friends he had all over the
world".
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh has pulled out of
Sunday's X Factor TV show.
A spokesman for Gately's family attributed his
death to natural causes and ruled out drugs and
suicide.
Gately's boy band enjoyed huge success in the
1990s, scoring six UK number one singles.
They reformed in 2007 before embarking on a
string of comeback concerts and were planning
to release a new album next year.
A statement from the four remaining members
of Boyzone said: "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. Our love and sympathy go out to
Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and
will miss you forever."
Singer Ronan Keating was in Chicago when the
news of Gately's death emerged and has travelled
to join the rest of the group, who have flown to
Majorca.
Irish solicitor Gerald Kean, a spokesman for
Gately's family, 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 family hope to have the remains returned to
Ireland by the end of the week for the funeral in
Dublin, he added.
A post mortem will take place in Spain on
Tuesday.
Police said they were called to a house near Port
d'Andratx on the western tip of the island on
Saturday afternoon.
"At the moment it is not known how he died," a
police spokesman said. "There are no signs of
suspicious circumstances."
Gately was on holiday with his long-term partner
Andy Cowles, who was introduced to him by Sir
Elton John and his partner David Furnish.
Sir Elton said on Sunday he and Furnish were
"stunned by this tragedy".
"Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul," he said.
"We send our love and condolences to his
partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."
Former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, a friend of
Gately, said the singer and his group had been
"part of Irish life, and far wider than that" for 15
years. "It's a huge, huge tragedy. It's so sad," he
said.
Louis Walsh's spokeswoman confirmed that the
manager would not go ahead with his
appearance as an X Factor judge.
His spokeswoman said: "He thanks you all for the
messages of support at this sad time."
An X Factor spokeswoman said the other three
judges would "continue with the show in the
usual way".
Walsh earlier told the News of the World
newspaper that he was "in complete shock".
Fellow Irish boy band Westlife, also managed by
Walsh, put out a statement describing Gately as a
"friendly, positive spirit and a passionate
performer".