The funeral of Stephen Gately took place in Dublin this afternoon attended by family and close friends and with more than 3,500 fans listening to the service on speakers outside the St Laurence O'Toole's Church.
His body has been taken to Glasnevin Crematorium for a private family service.
Father Declan Blake told mourners Gately had been baptised in the same church 33 years ago. "Through his singing and entertaining, Stephen touched the lives of many, many people," Fr Blake said.
He said he always gave his best to the area and Boyzone, to which he was committed.
"Through fame and entertaining Stephen touched the lives of many, many, many people," said Fr Blake.
"He brought great joy and lifted the hearts of many people. Stephen, as we all know, was a real gentleman, he was kind, caring and he was very talented."
Fr Blake said Gately supported charities and brought children happiness by visiting them in hospital.
Boyzone members Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy performed In this Lifeand It's Only Loveand also paid individual tributes.
Keating said: "We know Stephen has now found perfect peace."
"I am going to miss you brother. I love you and I always will," Keating added.
Other artists, including Tony Kenny, also sang during the ceremony.
The readings were given by Pat Halligan and Hannah Cowles, while Michael Graham, Jordan Duffy, Liah Carr, April Nelson and Pat Roberson read the Prayers of the Faithful.
The inside of the chapel was adorned with pictures of Gately through the years, as well as his favourite picture with Boyzone.
Lilies were also hung on every aisle.
Friends and relations carried gifts which were brought to the altar.
A Mickey Mouse teddy was brought because Gately loved Disney and "believed in fairy tales", the congregation was told.
A top hat and menu from his wedding day showed his devotion for his husband Andrew Cowles and a card was hand-made by Boyzone's children because Gately loved kids.
Among the well-known mourners was Boyzone manager and X-Factor judge Louis Walsh who acknowledged a low-key cheer from fans with a wave on his arrival at the church.
Speaking to reporters before the funeral Walsh said: "This is a sad day but we have to celebrate Stephen's life". All Stephen's best friends were in attendance and noted Gately's bandmates had stayed with the body in the church overnight, he added.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and singer Jason Donovan were also among the mourners. Those who could not attend the service but sent their condolences included Elton John, George Michael, the Beckams, Simon Cowell, Take That, U2, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole and Sharon Osborne.
Hundreds of fans maintained an all-night vigil outside the church to pay tribute to Gately. His band mates, who had stayed inside the church with the coffin overnight, earlier spoke with fans at around dawn to thank them for their support.
Jackie Harrington (24) from Portsmouth, said she has been a fan for 17 years. “All the neighbours have been looking after us, bringing us tea and pancakes and making sure we were all right,” she said.
“We’re here to say goodbye, to support the lads and let them know that we’re here for them as well.
“He was amazing, an absolute star. A genuine down to earth hero.” Distraught Tracy Morris from Sheffield, who arrived in Dublin at 9.30pm yesterday said: "He (Stephen) was gorgeous, beautiful, a lovely man, gentle, caring.”
“Boyzone won’t be complete without him.”
Flowers rested outside the inner-city church beside several small candles, with the name 'Stephen' placed by the railings.
Ms Morris said she was devastated at news of the death last weekend. “It’s just not sunk in yet,” the 38-year-old added.
“This morning we met Ronan and Keith, they came out and were hanging around the railings. There was no cheering it was just quiet. They just came around and spoke to people.” Security was tight outside the Church with railings in place across footpaths.
In the midst of the hundreds were two women draped in tricolours, wearing bowler hats bearing Stephen’s photograph.
Nearly 10 years have passed since Boyzone split in 2000, but the ardour of fans is undimmed and the goodwill of a community was unmistakably resolute among the hundreds who stood in the early winter chill last night.
Wendy Lee (26) from Taiwan had travelled from her home in Taipei to be in Dublin for the funeral of a man she idolised since she was a teenager.
“He was so kind and friendly and I really loved his songs,” she said. “When my friend told me he had died, I just cried. I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t sleep.”
The flights for the two-day visit had cost her more than €1,000, but she didn’t give it a thought.
Alongside her was Michelle Robinson (25) from Belfast, whom she had met at one of the band’s reunion gigs last year. “I think it’s pure devastation,” Michelle said of the fans’ reaction to Gately's death.
“The way I feel at the moment, it’s like a nightmare. He was so down to earth and he took so much time to talk to people. The fact that he was so open about his sexuality went a long way, too.”
For every one who had come from afar, there were many more who seemed to know Gately (33) not as a name in lights but as a neighbour, a schoolmate, a voice on the street.
One woman remembered him as a 14-year-old at the disco down the road “and he didn’t change one bit”. Another said her mother had died three years ago “and the crowd was just as big, and she wasn’t a big name or anything.
“They always do it around here, and they walk behind the coffin. It’s a tradition... He was very much loved. Beautiful, beautiful family. His parents are the salt of the earth, they really are.”
Gately’s bandmates accompanied him home from Majorca yesterday afternoon.
Additional reporting PA