Monday October 12 2009

BOYZONE'S remaining band members said they were "completely devastated" at the loss of their "brother and friend, Steo".

In a moving tribute to their colleague Stephen Gately, heartbroken boyband stars Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham said they had been looking forward to good times after getting back together a year ago.

Instead, they were rushing to the scene of Stephen's death in Majorca yesterday to comfort his husband Andrew Cowles after learning the tragic news of his death.

"We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen," said the band in a statement.

"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."

Their shock was shared by a host of celebrities including Sir Elton John, whose partner David Furnish introduced Stephen to his husband at a party.

Elton described Stephen as "the kindest, gentlest soul".

"David and I are stunned by this tragedy," he said.

The humble nature of the singer who grew up in Dublin city centre was a common theme as tributes poured in yesterday. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was dazed by his death just days after Stephen attended the launch of his autobiography.

"The Gatelys are in my own constituency," he said. "I know the family, I know Stephen.

"He was with us the other night with his boyfriend Andy. He came to my book launch.

"It's just such a tragedy.

"Boyzone and Stephen, they've all been part of Irish life and far wider than that, and so successful, so it's a huge, huge tragedy. It's so sad.

"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."

Boyband Westlife, who like Boyzone were also managed by Louis Walsh, said they were in shock at the death.

Mr Ahern's son-in-law Nicky Byrne and band members Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan said they first met Stephen in 1998 when they were starting out and had been good friends since.

"Himself and the Boyzone lads paved the way for us as a band," they said.

"He was a friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer."

Sympathy

Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister, Martin Cullen, extended his sympathy to Stephen's family, partner and fellow Boyzone members.

Publicity agent Joanne Byrne, who knew the singer for years and worked with him on Cheerios Childline concerts, remembered he knew the names of fans in the front row at concerts last year.

"He was an absolute gentleman and one of those men that looked the same at 33 as he did at 17," she said. "He was a lovely human being and there was not a bad bone in his body."

Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said his death had come "way too soon" while presenter Stephen Fry said he was "loveable and sweet-natured".

Singer Katherine Jenkins said she would cherish fond memories of the singer following a fun night out at the Ivy Club in London a few weeks ago.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello said she was shocked and saddened. "Stephen was born and reared in Sheriff Street and I know that he was loved and respected by the north inner-city community," she said.

Dana said Stephen had a great sense of fun and recalled how they chatted about stage work when they met.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainm...

Monday October 12 2009

STEPHEN Gately paved the way for other gay boyband members to come out and speak openly about their sexuality.

In 1999, the Boyzone singer was still living a lie. The band's manager Louis Walsh often planted stories and rumours of romances the popstar was enjoying with famous women. These included everyone from 'Baby Spice' Emma Bunton to Mandy Smith.

It was a throwback to Brian Epstein and his charge of John Lennon in the early 1960s, when Beatles manager Epstein feared there would be a backlash against the band if fans discovered that John was already married and had a young son.

Louis feared that Boyzone would lose fans if one of their heartthrobs was exposed as gay.

However, the matter was soon taken out of their hands in 1999. A reporter from a British tabloid came forward and said the paper were going to "out" Stephen unless he co-operated with them and admitted his sexuality.

In the end Stephen gave the revealing interview to the tabloid and very soon the whole fuss just faded away.

Last year Boyzone also became the first pop band to feature a gay couple in one of their videos. Stephen was pictured with a male actor for some hot scenes for their single 'Better'. The other members were filmed with female models. At the time Stephen said: "There really is no need to make an issue of the whole thing. For me it's just being natural."

Stephen's actions in 1999 paved the way for Westlife member Mark Feehily to come out a few years ago.

In August of 2005 Sligo-born Mark revealed that he was gay and was in a relationship with Kevin McDaid of boy band V.

And the other three members of Westlife all declared their support for Mark.

Louis Walsh said that he also had no idea about Mark when he first met him.

"I suppose when he said he liked Mariah Carey and the Eurovision Song Contest that alarm bells went off."

These days being gay is no longer an issue for pop stars, with everybody from the Scissor Sisters to Mika revealing their sexuality to fans.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/an...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk...

Pop superstar Sir Elton John last night led the tributes to Stephen Gately - saying he was "the kindest, gentlest soul".

Sir Elton and his partner David Furnish introduced the 33-year-old Boyzone idol to his partner Andy.

Sir Elton said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

The stars of Westlife, who followed Boyzone's footsteps to the top, could not contain their shock.

Former singer Brian McFadden wrote on Twitter: "Heartbroken! RIP the beautiful Stephen Gately.

"Life is so unfair. We loved you and you'll be in our hearts forever."

Brian's former bandmates, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan, said: "Stephen and the Boyzone lads paved the way for us.

"We met Stephen in 1998 when we started out and since then we've had the pleasure of meeting him many times.

"He was 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.

"Keith, Mikey, Shane and Ronan will be devastated at the loss of a truly beautiful person."

After Boyzone broke up, Stephen starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in London's West End.

And Andrew Lloyd-Webber remembered him as an "enormously talented" performer.

Lloyd-Webber said he and wife Madeleine were "shocked and deeply upset". He added: "Stephen's death is a great loss to the musical world."

Stars from across the showbiz world used their Twitter sites to tell of their grief.

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue wrote: "RIP Stephen Gately" and passed on her sympathy to Andrew and his bandmates.

Dannii also tried to comfort her fellow judge, Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh. She wrote: "Much love to Louis xXx."

This Morning host Phillip Schofield, who also played Joseph, told his Twitter fans: "God, what terrible news to wake up to. Poor Stephen. He was a really lovely guy."

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton said she spoke to Stephen as recently as last week. She added: "Devastating news. I saw him Monday and had a chat. He was always such a sweetheart."

TV presenter Vernon Kaye admitted on Twitter that he could not believe the news. He said Stephen was "such a nice fella - loved by so many people".

Fearne Cotton wrote: "What sad, sudden news. Thoughts go out to his family and friends."

And Gail Porter added: "Stephen will be terribly missed - a gorgeous person."

Singer Katherine Jenkins wrote: "So, so sad to hear the news. We had a really fun night out with Stephen at the Ivy Club a few weeks ago. Good memories to cherish."

Stephen Fry described the news of Stephen's death as "a dreadful shock". He went on: "Stephen was loveable and sweetnatured and will be hugely missed."

Radio presenter and music historian Paul Gambaccini said Stephen's talent would have guaranteed him many more years at the top.

He said:"Stephen had a fine voice that was going to stick with him. It was a beautiful voice for colour and for an alteration of mood.

"I do believe he was going to be a lasting entertainer. He would have had a long career bringing happiness to many hundreds of thousands of people.

"He's too young to have passed away." TV presenter Emma Forbes, who interviewed Boyzone many times at the height of their success, said she had never met a sweeter man than Stephen.

She added: "He was just the loveliest guy - a divine person. Such a young age, such a great talent."

Songwriter to the stars John McLaughlin, who once wrote a track for Boyzone, remembered Stephen as "a quiet, pleasant soul". He said: "He was interested in what you were saying, unlike other pop stars." And band manager Steve Gilmour, whose group 911 toured with Boyzone, added: "Stephen was always the quiet one.