Westlife Are 'In Shock' by Stephen Gately's Death

Sun, 11 October 2009 21:57:08 ET

After learning that Stephen Gately has passed away on Saturday, October 10, Westlife are 'in shock' while his partners in Boyzone 'are completely devastated'.

Numbers of celebrities and partners have reacted to Stephen Gately's death. Westlife, whose early way was paved by the late singer and his famous band Boyzone, are among people who mourn for the loss. "We are, like everyone else, in shock today," said the band's members, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne.

The foursome, who called Stephen "a friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer", then sent their prayers to his relatives. "Our thoughts are with Andy and the rest of his family, his friends, his legions of fans and of course his bandmates Keith, Mikey, Shane and Ronan who will be devastated at the loss of a truly beautiful person," they stated.

Stephen's former partners in Boyzone are also grieving over his death, claiming "We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen." Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, and Shane Lynch, who have arrived in Spain, where the gay singer passed away, then added, "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."

They additionally said, "Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever 'Steo.'" Meanwhile, top-notch singer Elton John has also expressed his sympathy over Stephen's death, stating "David [Furnish] and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

33-year-old Stephen Gately tragically died on Saturday, October 10 while vacationing in Majorca, Spain with his gay partner Andrew Cowles, whom he married in a civil union in March 2006. Family friend Gerald Kean informed the late musician died of natural causes. An autopsy to Stephen's body is expected to be conducted on Tuesday, October 13.

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