Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was found dead at his holiday home in Mallorca at 1.45pm yesterday. He was 33.
Police investigating his death said that while the cause of death remains unclear, there are "no signs of suspicious circumstances”.
A post-mortem may not be carried out until Tuesday as tomorrow is a Bank Holiday in Spain but a source close to the inquiry said foul play and suicide had virtually been ruled out and there was no evidence of drug use at the apartment where he was found dead.
The apartment, which he co-owned with partner Andrew Cowles is in a residential neighbourhood near Port Andratx in the south west of the island.
A brief statement posted on the Boyzone website overnight confirmed that the singer had died and said the four remaining members of the band would be flying out to the Spanish island today.
The statement read: "Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with
his partner Andrew in Majorca. The rest of the boyz will be flying out today."
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who was due to appear as a judge on tonight's X
Factor results show, told the newspaper: "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.
"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."
Speaking to the News of the World last night, 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."
Gately, who married his partner Andrew Cowles in a civil union in 2006, sent
ripples through the pop music world ten years ago when he announced that he was
gay.
He joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert to audition for Ireland's first boyband.
The band went on to enjoy huge success with six number one singles, but split up in 2000.
They reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date Better tour failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.
Gately also starred in West End musicals, including Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and appeared on the ITV1 show Dancing on Ice.
He last posted a message on his Twitter page on October 6, writing: "Still busy, lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."
Scores of devastated fans posted tributes on the singer's Facebook page, expressing sadness and disbelief at the news of his death.