**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.
Spanish police said there were no signs of suspicious circumstances, but the cause of death is not known.
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.
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”.
HAVE YOUR SAY
“It’s quite a shock. He had the best voice out of the band”
Caroline, Bedfordshire
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“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”.
“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,” they said.
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.”
A post mortem will take place in the city of Palma, according to the BBC’s Steve Kingstone in Majorca.
“Unofficially, police sources have indicated that there was no suicide note or signs of a struggle,” he said.
Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said it was “sad on a personal level and a professional level”.
“The period of success for Boyzone was historic,” he said. “They were, in the 90s, the best selling boy band in singles terms. That’s right, they sold more singles than Take That.”
The last message on Gately’s Twitter account, posted on 6 October, said: “Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.”](“http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspaforumID=7100&edition=1&ttl=20091011091159”)