The family of Boyzone star Stephen Gately has rejected allegations in some newspapers that he died after a marathon drinking session.
Lawyer Gerald Kean said today it was wrong to suggest that the star died after eight hours drinking on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca.
Relatives of the 33-year-old Irish pop singer and actor insisted his death was a “tragic accident” and that no foul play was involved.
“An eight-hour drinking session is something we do not accept,” Mr Kean said. “Wherever that is coming from, our information would suggest that is simply wrong.”
Spanish police said there were “no signs of suspicious circumstances” after Gately was found dead at his home in the resort of Port Andratx on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Kean, who was asked to act as spokesman for the family and talked to Gately’s mother Margaret this morning, said the family were absolutely devastated. He said they have been too upset to decide whether to fly out to the Mediterranean island.
The solicitor said Gately had been in the apartment with his partner, Andrew Cowles, until after midnight on Friday when he travelled to the town of Palma, about an hour’s drive away. A close family member spoke to Gately at 12.30am Spanish time on Saturday as he was getting ready to leave, Mr Kean said.
It is understood Gately spent several hours socialising and was back in the apartment before 6am.
“We are not saying he was not drinking but eight hours is not something we accept,” Mr Kean said. “He was a very sensible man. He enjoyed himself, he loved life. I was with him many a night and, if anything, late into nights he would look as though he had just arrived.”
Police said Gately had been partying with friends a few hours before he was found dead in his apartment. They were hoping the results of a postmortem would shed light on exactly how he died.
A spokesman for police on the island said the examination would take place either today or tomorrow. He said Gately’s body remained in a forensics institute in Palma in the meantime.
Police refused to be drawn on whether officers were trying to trace a potential witness, a Bulgarian man who was reportedly in Gately’s apartment that night, along with Gately’s partner.
Mr Kean said the family have been told police are not looking to speak to anyone else in connection with the death.
Last night fellow Boyzone members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch arrived in Majorca and spent an hour at Gately’s apartment. The bandmates said they were left “completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen”.
Tributes have flooded in from the music world, with Boyzone manager Louis Walsh pulling out of the X Factor live finals show, saying he was “very shocked and exceptionally upset”.
Outside Gately’s sea-view villa, mourners left flowers and paid tribute to the star.
One note left with flowers read: “For Stephen, God bless you, rest in peace. Although we didn’t know you personally, we admired and liked you as a person, not just your talent. Sue and Dave. PS. Deepest sympathy to you Andrew.”
Gately sent ripples through the pop music world 10 years ago when he announced that he was gay. He was introduced to Mr Cowles by Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish and the pair married in a civil union in 2006. John said he and Furnish were “stunned” by the death.
Gately joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland’s first boyband.
He 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 6th, writing: “Still busy, lots going on. Focusing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.”
Scores of devastated fans also posted tributes on the singer’s Facebook page, expressing sadness and disbelief at the news of his death.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen said he was very sorry to hear of the death of the singer. “Stephen Gately was a gifted young man with a talent for singing . . . his death at such a young age is both a personal and professional loss,” Mr Cullen said.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Emer Costello said Gately’s international success had lifted the entire north inner city community and described him as “an excellent role model and an idol for young people from the area”. Prayers were said for the singer’s family at St Laurence O’Toole church, near the family home in Dublin.
Additional reporting by PA