Boyzone's Stephen Gately Dies - celebrity tributes

Boyzone star, Stephen Gately has died aged 33.

A message on the bands tour website confirmed that the Irish pop star and actor was on holiday with his long-term partner in Mallorca when he "tragically died" on Saturday night.

Reports suggest that Gately went out for some drinks, returned and went to sleep. He never woke up.

Boyzone manager and X Factor judge Louis Walsh, told The News Of The World: "We're all absolutely devastated."

He said: "I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.

<!-- S IIMA -->

<!-- E IIMA -->

"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."

Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. "We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

Stephen Fry tweeted: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately."What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed."

A statement from Caroline de Wolfe and Rosemary Reed, of Agents Back Door Management, said:

"Stephen was a very talented and much loved client and it was our great pleasure to work with himand our thoughts and condolences are extended to his loved ones at this very distressing time.

"We are shocked and saddened that he is no longer with us and had such a short life as he had much more to give.

"Stephen was both in and out of the spotlight a genuine, funny and very charismatic man who was a joy to spend time with and it was a privilege to know him.

"He retained that rare quality of being humble despite his fame and this endeared him to those he worked with."

The former Iriish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern said:

"The Gatelys are in my own constituency. I know the family, I know Stephen. Ronan Keating is a very good friend of my daughter's, my family.

"He [Gately] was with us the other night with his boyfriend Andy, he came to my book launch."

He added: "It's just such a tragedy. Boyzone and Stephen, they've all been part of Irish life and far wider than that, the last 15 years, 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."

Fearne Cotton tweeted:

"What sad sudden news about Stephen Gately. Thoughts go out to his family and friends."

Katherine Jenkins also tweeted:

"So so sad 2hear the news about Stephen Gately. We had a really fun night out with him at the Ivy Club a few weeks ago. Good memories 2 cherish"