Post-mortem due on Stephen Gately
Post-mortem due on Stephen Gately
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 12, Oct 2009 12:26
By Lewis Bazley.
A post-mortem examination into the death of Boyzone's Stephen Gately is due to be carried out this week.
The singer was found dead on holiday in Majorca this weekend, aged 33.
Police said there were no signs of "suspicious circumstances" in Gately's death and post-mortem tests are to begin on Tuesday, as Monday is a public holiday in Spain.
"There's no foul play involved and it's not suicide," commented the Gately family's solicitor Gerald Kean.
"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."
Gately is believed to have died after falling asleep on a sofa following a night out with his long-term partner Andy Cowles.
The couple, who were married in a civil partnership in 2006, had been introduced to each other by Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.
Gately, who scored six UK number one singles as part of Boyzone in the 1990s, had recently taken part in a well-received comeback tour with the boyband and a new album was expected 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."
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh pulled out of Sunday's night edition of The X Factor following Gately's death, with fellow judge Simon Cowell paying tribute to the late singer.
"This is really tragic news," he told viewers. "Our thoughts are with Louis - they were incredibly close."
Boyzone had taken to the stage at the Big Gig Weekend at the Royal Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet a fortnight ago for what has transpired to be their last performance together.
Promoter Kevin Newton, who organised the concert, said Gately had been in "thoroughly good form" at the Somerset event on September 26th.
"He explained how the band were putting together an album and hoped they would be welcome back to the Big Gig next year," Mr Newton added.
"What a tragedy for everyone. We feel privileged that their performance was so well received by the crowd. It was a wonderful final performance by one of the country's finest entertainers."