BoyzoneStephen Gately of the Irish boy band Boyzone died suddenly Saturday while on vacation in Spain with his partner Andrew Cowles, reports CBC. He was 33.

“At present we don’t have too many details,” said a statement on the band’s web site.

Gately’s band mates – Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch – said they were completely devastated by the loss of their friend and brother, Stephen. “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.”

Boyzone originally formed in 1993 and reunited in 2008. Gately also had a solo career and appeared in a number of stage musicals including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

“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,” said former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern. “It’s so sad.”

Elton John and his partner, Canadian David Furnish, also gave their condolences. “David and I are stunned by this tragedy,” said John. “Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. We send our love and condolences to his partner, Andy, and to all his friends everywhere.”

Officials are awaiting autopsy results before a cause of death can be determined.






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