Boy band star who enjoyed massive success with Boyzone and then as a solo performer
Boyzone singer Stephen Gately died at the age of 33 on 10 October, 2009.
The Irish superstar was also a writer and actor and, along with Ronan Keating, was a lead singer in the band.
Boyzone enjoyed massive success with all their albums going to number one in the charts. They had six number one hit singles in the 1990s and a total of 16 singles that reached the top five.
In 2000 the band moved on to solo careers with Stephen being the first to release a solo album, 'New Beginning'. The band had reformed in 2007.
He appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003/2004 and was also a contestant in the 2007 series of ITV's Dancing on Ice.
Stephen's tragic death occurred whilst on holiday in Majorca with his partner Andrew Cowles.
The four remaining members of Boyzone described Stephen as "our friend and brother".
"We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more," a statement said.
"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."
Fellow Irish boy band Westlife described Stephen as a "friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer...
"Our thoughts are with Andy and the rest of his family, his friends, his legions of fans and of course his bandmates... who will be devastated at the loss of a truly beautiful person."
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