METRO Monday, October 12, 2009 D Tributes made to beautiful GatelyBOYZONE led tributes to their friend and brother Stephen Gately today, saying he was a beautiful person. Stars of the music world, including Sir Elton John and Andrew Lloyd Webber, praised the 33-year-old singer, calling his untimely death in Majorca a tragedy. Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch said: We are devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared 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 Stephens family. We love you and will miss you forever Steo. Sir Elton John said: David (Furnish) and I are stunned. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere. Andrew Lloyd Webber added that Gately was enormously talented. I very much enjoyed working with him on Joseph and the Boyzone hit No Matter What my biggest selling single. His death is a great loss. Westlife band members Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan said Gately was friendly, and a passionate performer. We are, like everyone else, in shock today, they said. Boyzone manager Louis Walshs spokeswoman said he was very shocked and exceptionally upset and he pulled out of the X Factor live finals. A message posted on Twitter by Dannii Minogue read: My thoughts go out to Andrew Cowles, and the boys Ronan, Keith, Shane and Mikey. Much love to Louis xXx. Fearne Cotton, Stephen Fry and singer Katherine Jenkins were also among those who paid tribute on Twitter. TV personality Christopher Biggins told Sky News: He enjoyed life to the full. He lived life absolutely to the maximum. He will be sorely missed by so many people. Stephen Gately 1976-2009 But, despite his keen female fol- lowing, he would also prove a hit on the gay scene, especially after con- firming his homosexuality in 1999. When the band decided in 2000 to move on to solo projects, the dark- haired Dubliner born Stephen Patrick David Gately would ensure his most challenging years. He was the first with his debut solo single titled New Beginning and later a debut solo album of the same name. He went on to appear in stage pro- ductions including starring in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream- coat and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Gately wed Andrew Cowles in a civil partnership ceremony in 2006. Gately announced it was great to get back with Boyzone last year and told fans he was enjoying the second coming despite the bands failure to fill stadiums on some of their gigs. In recent years, Gately had been writing a childrens fantasy novel called The Tree of Seasons. Last week he attended the Pride of Britain Awards. Boyzone had hoped to release a new album in 2010. He was hugely popular in the ce- lebrity scene. Elton John described him as the kindest, gentlest soul. And, until his untimely death at the age of 33, he insisted on remaining Boyish star loved his fame and fansBy tom morgan rIP: Irish pop musics blue- eyed boy, Stephen gately, has died at the age of 33. gately and his recently reformed group Boyzone were due to release a new album in 2010. Since the bands split in 2000, he had launched a solo career and appeared on stage in several West End musicals STEPHEN Gately was the blue-eyed boy of modern Irish pop music. With cherubic facial features and a voice to match, the Boyzone member became a pin-up among teenage girls across Ireland and the UK long be- fore he had even turned 20. Gately a theatre musicals lover joined the band in 1993 after answer- ing an advert in Dublin to audition for Irelands first boyband. Alongside bandmates Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Ronan Keating, his star quickly rose under the influential guidance of pop mogul Louis Walsh, now best known for his role as an X Factor judge. Boyzone scored six British No.1s, including All That I Need in 1998, with Gately singing lead vocals with Keating on many of them. According to his colleagues, Gately loved the limelight and became de- voted to his swelling fanbase. He became devoted to his swelling fanbase busy in the world of showbusiness. Writing on his forum, he said: The next month or so are really busy for me as well but I will try to send a mes- sage here or on Twitter when I can. a born performer: gately SINGER Stephen Gately was today remembered in his home city as a much-loved hero and role model who achieved superstardom against the odds. Grieving family and friends living close to his former home in the tough Dublin working- class area of Sheriff Street paid glowing tributes to the talented Boyzone performer. One of his former teachers classed him as a cool hero, while Lord Mayor Emer Costello said his achievements had raised the spirits of a community blighted by drug problems and high unemployment. We had a superstar in our midst, it was really wonderful. His success really lifted the whole community, she said. He was a real success story and a very positive role model. He was a lovely fella, with a lovely gentle manner. Distraught friends and neighbours painted a picture of a young boy always interested in music, showing off his talents on the dancefloors of local discos around the area. His ex- teacher David Bailey said Stephen had shown a keen interest in singing during his days in St Laurence OToole National School, saying he made it out of Sheriff Street when a lot didnt. Tearful neighbours gathered in Canon Lillis Avenue, off Sheriff Street, where the family home once was, to mourn the loss. Just streets away, upset parishioners paid tribute to the young star following mass in which prayers were offered for the grieving family. Stephen is survived by his parents Martin and Margaret, sister Michelle and brothers Tony, Alan and Mark. Home city remembers hero Gately index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html