Boyzone singer Stephen Gately found dead in bed

The Irish pop singer, songwriter and actor, who triggered a sensation in the pop world in 1999 by announcing he was gay, has been found dead while on holiday in the Spanish island of Majorca with his partner Andrew.

The Irish pop group's official website said on Sunday: "Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with his partner Andrew in Majorca."

Gately dies suddenly
Gately and his partner Andrew Cowles, who wed in a civil union in 2006, had been taking time off after Boyzone, a U.K. hitmaker in the 1990s, announced their comeback tour last November.

Although it was not immediately clear how Gately died, but the buzz is that the singer went to sleep after a night out but did not wake up.

"At present we don't have too many details. The rest of the boys will be traveling to Majorca later this morning," the statement said.

Friends mourning Gately’s sudden demise
Meanwhile, Gately’s fellow singers and associates are mourning the death of their beloved singer.

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh has said that he is stunned by Gately’s untimely and sudden death.

Walsh told the News of the World: "We're all absolutely devastated. I'm in complete shock."

"I was with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet... He was a great man," he said.

Speaking to the newspaper late Saturday, band member Shane Lynch said: "Me and the boys are flying out in the morning. We just need to get over to where he's passed and work out what we need to do."

Actor and comedian Stephen Fry took to his Twitter Account to say he was shocked at the news. "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."

Elton John said he and partner David Furnish were shocked 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," John said in a statement.

Citing an unnamed friend of the singer, the News of the World reported on its website that Gately had died after having a few drinks. "It looks like he went out for a few drinks, then got back, fell asleep and never woke up."

About Irish singer Gately
Stephen Patrick David Gately (Born on 17 March 1976) was an Irish pop singer/ songwriter and actor, who, with Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers in the boy band Boyzone.

Gately joined Boyzone in 1993 and enjoyed six UK number one hits between 1994 and 2000, as well as 16 Top 5 singles.

After his split with the band in 2000, the Irish singer went on to appear variously in stage productions and on television programmes.

In 2008, Gately rejoined his bandmates as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings.

In his last message posted to social networking site Twitter on October 6, Gately wrote: "Still busy - lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."

Gately wed his partner Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.