Washington, October 11: Boyzone star Stephen Gately has died suddenly while on holiday in Majorca, the News of the World has reported.
The 33-year-old went to sleep after a night out but failed to wake up, according to the newspaper.
The four remaining band members are believed to be planning to fly out to the island and singer Ronan Keating is said to be “completey devastated”.
Gately leaves a husband Andrew Cowles, whom he married in a civil union in March, 2006.
The gay singer’s coming out 10 years ago caused a sensation in the pop music world.
Dan Wootton, showbiz editor of the News of the World, says it is a tragic and “very unexpected” event.
He said he had spoken to Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who told him: “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.’
Shane Lynch told the newspaper the rest of the band will now head out to Majorca.
He told Wootton: “We just need to get over to where he’s passed and work out what we need to do.”
Gately also became a star in the West End, appearing as Joseph in and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and on television in ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
He last posted a message on his Twitter page on October 6, writing: “Still busy – lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.”
A spokesman for Boyzone has confirmed the death but details are yet to emerge.
—Agencies