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Stephen Patrick David Gately (17 March 1976 – 10 October 2009) was an Irish singer who, with Ronan Keating, was co-lead singer of the pop group Boyzone.[1] All of Boyzone's studio albums during Gately's lifetime hit number one in the United Kingdom, their third being their most successful internationally. With Boyzone, Gately had a record-breaking sixteen-consecutive singles enter the top five of the UK Singles Chart.[2] He released a solo album in 2000, after the group's initial break-up, which charted in the UK top ten and yielded three UK hit singles, including the top three hit "New Beginning". Gately went on to appear in stage productions and on television programmes as well as contributing songs to various projects. In 2008, he rejoined his colleagues as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings.

Key Information

Gately made his sexuality known in 1999 and came out to publicity.[3][4] He became publicly committed to Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006. Upon Boyzone's reformation, Gately featured as part of the first gay couple in a boyband music video for "Better", in what was to be his last with the band.[5] Gately died of a congenital heart defect in a flat that he and Cowles owned in Mallorca, Spain, in 2009. Brian Boyd in The Irish Times stated: "Stephen Gately's death represents the first time that the boyband genre has had to deal with such a tragic situation".[6] Tim Teeman of The Times (UK) heralded Gately as a hero of gay rights for his response to being "smoked out of the closet".[7]

Early life

[edit]

Gately grew up in relative poverty in the working-class Sheriff Street area of Dublin.[8] He was the fourth of five children; his father Martin was a decorator and his mother, Margaret (born 1949) a cleaner.[9] His siblings are Michelle, Tony, Alan and Mark.[10][11] He was particularly close to sister Michelle throughout his life.[12] Gately's father had an accident as a result of which he had to be hospitalised for three months from September 2004.[13] His mother then took over as full-time carer.[13] Gately attended primary school at St Laurence O'Toole's and secondary school at North Strand Technical College.[13] As a teenager he appeared in various musicals and theatre performances at school, such as Juno and the Paycock.[9] He was estranged from his parents for years, but reconciled with them in 2008 and visited them with Andrew Cowles that year.[13]

Career

[edit]

Boyzone

[edit]
Further information: Boyzone

Gately joined Boyzone upon their formation in 1993. The group became known in Ireland after an infamous appearance on The Late Late Show that year, which presenter Gay Byrne dismissed—although he later concluded: "They certainly had the last laugh on us".[14] Boyzone's first success outside Ireland was when the song "Love Me for a Reason" reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in 1995.[15] The group split suddenly following a string of performances in Dublin's Point Theatre in 2000.[14] By the time Boyzone originally rested the band, they had achieved six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. They were considered a major pop band of the 1990s and had a much publicised rivalry with UK boy band Take That,[15] even selling more singles than them.[16] Gately shared the majority of lead vocal work with Ronan Keating.

A February appearance at the 2008 Meteor Awards relaunched the reformed Boyzone, with touring taking place throughout 2008.[17][18] After his death, manager Louis Walsh described Gately as "the glue in Boyzone, he kept them all together".[19] Keating informed the congregation at Gately's funeral that he had nicknames for them all; "the campest straight band in the world"—Rosaleen, Michaela, Kitty, Shanice and Stephanie.[20]

Solo career

[edit]

After success with Boyzone, the band decided in 2000 to move on to solo projects. Gately was the second, with his debut solo single, "New Beginning", released on 29 May 2000. The single reached number three in the UK charts.

Two weeks later the album New Beginning was released and entered the charts. The album included twelve tracks including a version of the classic "Bright Eyes", which he recorded for the soundtrack to the TV version of Watership Down. He also voiced one of the characters in the series, Blackavar, which was created to look like him. His character only spoke for 3 episodes, before becoming a background character.

The second single taken from the album was "I Believe". Released on 2 October 2000, this song also featured on the soundtrack to the film Billy Elliot. The single just missed the UK top ten, peaking at number eleven. He attended the premieres of the film both at the Edinburgh Film Festival and at the Empire, Leicester Square, along with the stars of the film, Julie Walters and Jamie Bell. In May 2001, Gately's third single, "Stay", was released and reached number thirteen in the UK chart. That month, with his single still in the charts, his record company Polydor dropped him from the label.

Boyzone's reformation and final projects

[edit]
Gately in 2009

In 2008 following his solo career and various bouts of acting and television appearances, Gately rejoined his old colleagues when Boyzone reformed, following the success of revived contemporaries Take That. Gately had been the most eager to reform and urged his bandmates to come together again. They sold out two more tours of the United Kingdom.[21]

Boyzone released a brand new single, "Love You Anyway", followed by a new compilation album in October 2008. December 2008 saw the release of a second new single, "Better". The video for the song generated controversy, as scenes depicting romantic couples included a shot of two men embracing, in an inclusive nod to Gately's homosexuality. The group unanimously agreed that Gately should be allowed to pair with a male actor.[22] It was condemned by, among others, the minister of the Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church.[23] Others, however, cite that milestone as among the reasons why Gately is a "gay rights hero". Wrote Tim Teeman of the Times Online, "Gately showed that an unflamboyant guy could be a pop star and gay...the real shame should be reserved for those managers and showbusiness power-brokers who practise that kind of discrimination, and also maintain the closet, to line their pockets."[24]

At the time of Gately's death the group had selected thirty songs which they intended to record for a new album to be released in 2010.[25] This was to have been followed by a tour.[25]

Gately's vocals featured on Boyzone's final album, in a song called "I Can Dream". A video of the song was released on 15 June 2018, featuring images of Gately and Boyzone. The album was released on 16 November 2018.[26][27]

Other work

[edit]

Acting and television

[edit]

In 1999 Gately took part in animated television series Watership Down, where he voiced Blackavar and performed show's theme song, a cover of Art Garfunkel's "Bright Eyes" (included in the previous adaptation from 1978).[28][29]

In December 2002, Gately took the lead role in Bill Kenwright's new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,[14] which previewed in Oxford in December 2002 before moving to Liverpool over Christmas 2002 and finally to London's West End and the New London Theatre in Drury Lane in February 2003. From September 2004 until March 2005 Gately played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.

In 2001 he made a cameo as himself in the fourth series of BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, in that series' opening episode "Parralox".

Gately made his pantomime debut at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley in December 2005 starring as Dandini in Cinderella. In April 2006 he took on the role of The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.

Gately also took part in Channel Five's All Star Talent Show in October 2006, performing the slice and dice magic trick which he only had a week to learn, coming second to Toby Anstis. He was also in the second series of ITV's Dancing on Ice with his dancing partner Kristina Lenko. They went out in eighth place on 10 February 2007.

In January 2007, Gately was heard in "Horror of Glam Rock", a Doctor Who audio drama produced by Big Finish Productions for BBC7. For this audio play, Gately recorded an original song, "Children of Tomorrow", with music by Tim Sutton and lyrics by Barnaby Edwards; this was his first solo track since 2001.[30]

In September 2007, Gately began touring the UK in an 11-week run of Stephen Schwartz's rock musical Godspell but withdrew from the production after just three weeks for contractual reasons.[31]

In 2008, Gately appeared in the independent horror film, Credo, which was released in the United States as Devil's Curse.

Philanthropy

[edit]

Gately was a vice patron of the charity Missing People (formerly National Missing Persons Helpline), supporting their Runaway Helpline service for young people.[32] He was an ambassador for the Caudwell Children Charity in Stoke and on one occasion gave a private Christmas performance, raising thousands of pounds.[33] Gately's family requested that donations be given to the charity instead of flowers sent to them after his death in 2009.[33] This in turn raised thousands more pounds.[33] On one visit to a hospital he met a terminally ill child who admired the jacket he was wearing, and Gately allowed her to have it.[34]

Writing

[edit]

During the three years prior to his death, Gately had been writing a children's fantasy novel called The Tree of Seasons. In an April 2009 interview with the Press Association he declared that he was nearly finished, had publisher interest, and hoped for a Christmas 2009 release.[35] Boyzone bandmate Ronan Keating promised at Gately's funeral that "by hook or by crook" the book would be finished.[36]

The Tree of Seasons was written in collaboration with June Considine and Jules Williams.[37] Based on Gately's handwritten notes – the day he died he had just worked out the ending.[38] The book released in the UK and Ireland on 13 May 2010, published by Hodder & Stoughton. It contains a foreword by Elton John and David Furnish, and is illustrated by Keith Wilson.[39] The Tree of Seasons remained a bestseller and a top-ten seller for three consecutive weeks. The paperback version was released in April 2011.[needs update][citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Gately came out as gay in 1999 after discovering that an acquaintance was about to sell the details of his sexuality to the media.[40]

From 2000 to 2002, Gately suffered from depression and addiction to prescription drugs.[9]

Gately started dating Andrew Cowles, an internet businessman[41] who had been introduced to him by mutual friends Elton John and David Furnish. Gately and Cowles held a commitment ceremony in a wedding chapel while on holiday in Las Vegas in 2003. On 19 March 2006, Gately entered into a civil partnership with Cowles in a ceremony in London.[42] The couple lived together in the north London village of Highgate. Gately spoke of his love for the village, saying he "wouldn't move away for the world. It has a great vibe and the people here are brilliant".[43] In July 2009, their home was broken into by thieves who took £80,000 of items, including a Rolex watch which Gately had purchased with his first pay cheque.[43] Gately was based in London for the rest of his life.[44]

His manager Louis Walsh was unaware of Gately's sexuality when he selected him for Boyzone and has said that, had he known, he would have thought twice before picking him, claiming less than a year before his death that "it wasn't cool then to have a gay guy in a band".[5] After the singer's death, Walsh described Gately as his "very, very best friend",[45] saying: "Of all the people I've worked with I don't think anybody thanked me as much as Stephen. He used to always say to me, 'If I wasn't in Boyzone I don't know where I'd be today, thank you'".[46]

Gately's idol was Michael Jackson, whom he met at RDS Arena in 1997 when Jackson was embarking on his HIStory World Tour.[47] Jackson died four months prior to Gately's death.[48]

Death

[edit]

Gately died at his home in Port d'Andratx, Mallorca, early on 10 October 2009. His body was discovered later in the morning.[16] His death was later determined to have been caused by a pulmonary oedema resulting from an undiagnosed heart condition.[49]

Gately had spent the evening with his partner Cowles at the Black Cat club in Mallorca's capital, Palma. They returned home with a man that they had met that night, Bulgarian national Georgi Dochev. Dochev stayed in the spare bedroom.[50][51] According to Dochev, he discovered Gately's body lying on a sofa as he was about to leave. He woke Cowles, who was sleeping alone in the couple's bedroom.[16] However, Gately's solicitor and family friend, Gerald Kean, insisted Cowles was the one who found Gately's body.[51] Spanish police were alerted at 1:45 pm by Cowles, after he had tried to revive Gately.[52] Gately was squatting in an awkward position on the sofa, dressed in his pyjamas. Police said they had no reason to believe the death was related to abuse of substances, and no suicide note or signs of violence were found on his body.[52]

The surviving members of Boyzone flew to Mallorca on 11 October 2009.[53] The remaining members of Boyzone, Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Ronan Keating, and Shane Lynch, issued a joint statement:

We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. 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. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever, 'Steo'.[54]

A post-mortem and toxicology tests took place on 13 October and this examination showed that Gately died of natural causes.[49] His death was a result of a congenital heart defect.[55]

On 16 October, accompanied by the four remaining members of Boyzone,[56] his body was brought from Mallorca to Dublin where his funeral took place at St Laurence O'Toole's Church, Seville Place the following day.[57][58][59][60] The four surviving members of Boyzone maintained an overnight vigil in the church the night before.[61][62] Thousands of fans, celebrities, and politicians were in attendance at the funeral.[63] Fans had travelled from as far as South Africa, and Taiwan to attend the funeral.[64][65][66] He was cremated in a private ceremony later that afternoon.[67][68] Gately's coffin was carried into and out of the church by his bandmates,[69] and during the service Ronan Keating gave a eulogy, during which he broke down several times and apologised to the congregation.[70][71] Keith Duffy reminisced on the early days: "He told Louis [Walsh] he was 5ft 7in (170 cm). When he auditioned for The Hobbit later on, he said he was 5ft 3in (160 cm). But he was a true giant of a man".[66] Michael Graham said Gately had only told him the previous week how much he loved Cowles, adding: "When he came out, he finally became himself".[66] The funeral clashed with the wedding of a niece of Bertie Ahern and several of her guests defected to the funeral instead.[72]

Reaction

[edit]

Fans responded with messages of sympathy on Twitter and Facebook.[73][74] Thousands of pounds were donated by fans to a Stoke-based children's charity which Gately had endorsed.[33] Boyzone's record catalogue was propelled back into the music charts.[6] The single "No Matter What", on which Gately is a prominent vocalist, received heavy play on radio.[25]

Boyzone's former manager Louis Walsh said: "We're all absolutely devastated. 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 (UK television talent show on which Walsh is a judge) and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."[73][75] My First Time, a stage show which was set to star bandmember Keith Duffy, was cancelled entirely.[76] The four surviving members of Boyzone had memorial tattoos when they brought Gately's body home.[77][78][79][80]

Irish boy band Westlife said: "We are, like everyone else, in shock today. We met Stephen Gately back in 1998 when we first started out and since then had the pleasure of meeting him many times. Himself and the Boyzone lads paved the way for us as a band. 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."[81] Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "It's so sad. Boyzone and Stephen, they've all been part of Irish life and far wider than that, the last 15 years, and so successful, so it's a huge, huge tragedy. He was 33 years of age, 15 years at the top, a fine musician, it's just a huge tragedy to Irish entertainment, Irish music and further afield as well".[82]

Daily Mail article

[edit]

An article by Jan Moir in the Daily Mail on 16 October 2009 claimed: "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again. Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one." She suggested that drugs and a "dangerous lifestyle" were to blame for Gately's death.

Moir's article resulted in over 25,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) that day.[83][84][85][86] The article was widely criticised in the media. The PCC did not uphold the complaint, stating: "It found the article caused some offence but there was insufficient evidence it breached the law".

Legacy

[edit]

In September 2020, Dublin City Council agreed to name "Stephen Gately Park" after the singer.[87] This has yet to be enacted, due to Dublin City Council regulations that require a person to be dead for at least 20 years before a place can be named after them.[88]

Discography

[edit]
Gately performing with Boyzone in 2009

With Boyzone

[edit]
See also: Boyzone discography

Solo

[edit]
Albums
List of albums, with peak chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
UK
New Beginning 9
Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions
IRE UK
 AUS
2000 "New Beginning"/"Bright Eyes" 8 3 92
2000 "I Believe" — 11 —
2001 "Stay" — 13 —
2007 "Children of Tomorrow" — — —
2010 "Gave It All Away" (with Boyzone) 1 9 42
2018 "Dream" (with Boyzone) — — —

Other appearances

[edit]
Year Title Album
1999 "Chiquitita" From the ABBAmania compilation album
2009 "Little Drummer Boy"
(duet with Ronan Keating) 		Winter Songs

Filmography

[edit]

Audio

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Doctor Who: Horror of Glam Rock Tommy Tomorrow BBC Radio 7

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992 The Bargain Shop Locusts
2008 Credo Simon

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Boyzone: Live In Your Living Room Himself 1 Episode
1999 Watership Down Blackavar 3 Episodes
2001 Absolutely Fabulous Himself Series 4
2007 Dancing on Ice 4 episodes (finished 8th)
2008 The Boyz Are Back In Town Documentary
2008 The Sunday Night Project Guest Host 1 episode
2025 Boyzone: No Matter What Archive Footage 3 episodes

Books

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Stephen Gately

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephen Patrick David Gately (17 March 1976 – 10 October 2009) was an Irish , and best known as a co-lead vocalist of the . Gately rose to fame in the mid-1990s as part of , which achieved significant commercial success in Europe and beyond through multiple chart-topping singles and albums. In June 1999, he publicly came out as gay in an interview with The Sun, becoming one of the first major members to do so openly, a disclosure that garnered widespread media attention but did not diminish his popularity. Gately pursued solo endeavors, including releasing the album New Beginning in 2002 and appearing in stage productions, while maintaining ties to until his death. On 10 October 2009, Gately died at age 33 in Majorca, ; a postmortem examination determined the cause as pulmonary oedema, a natural accumulation of fluid in the lungs unrelated to drugs or alcohol, though the underlying trigger remained unspecified.

Early Life

Family Background and Childhood

Stephen Patrick David Gately was born on 17 March 1976 at the in , , the third son and fourth of five children in a working-class Catholic family. His parents were Martin Gately, a painter and decorator who later became unable to work following an accident, and Margaret Gately, a part-time cleaner. His siblings included brothers Tony, Alan, and Mark, as well as sister Michelle, to whom he remained particularly close throughout his life; during their , the children shared a single room for sleeping. The family resided in a flat at St Laurence's Mansions in Dublin's area, part of the North Wall district near the docklands, before moving elsewhere during Gately's childhood. They experienced financial hardship typical of many in Ireland's inner-city working-class communities during the and high of the late 1970s and 1980s, with Gately later recalling feelings of embarrassment over attending school in patched and darned clothing. Despite these modest circumstances, the large family provided mutual support, fostering a close-knit dynamic amid limited resources. As a quiet and introverted child, Gately displayed early performative inclinations through involvement in school plays and musicals, such as , where he exhibited notable energy and charisma on stage despite lacking formal training. These experiences in local drama groups and school productions marked formative moments in developing his interest in performance, contrasting his reserved off-stage personality.

Musical Beginnings and Influences

Gately demonstrated an early aptitude for performance despite his introverted nature, participating in school plays and musicals from his early teens in Dublin's North Wall area. These activities, conducted at institutions such as St Laurence O'Toole’s junior boys school and North Strand Technical College, allowed him to channel energy into stage presence, including singing roles that highlighted his vocal potential. He further immersed himself in the local scene through youth club productions and an amateur dramatic group, building self-taught skills in acting and performance without formal management. Expanding his repertoire, Gately joined a at age 13 that secured victory in the disco dance finals around 1989, marking one of his initial competitive successes. He enrolled in a summer course at the Gaiety Theatre and later the Gaiety School of Acting, while competing in and winning multiple dance competitions across , which underscored his versatility in rhythm and movement. These amateur endeavors, often in talent-show formats, provided platforms for public performances that revealed his stage charisma and physical expressiveness prior to any professional oversight. His musical tastes drew heavily from pop icons, with Michael Jackson serving as a primary idol whose style influenced Gately's admiration for dynamic vocals and showmanship. This inspiration propelled him toward broader opportunities, culminating in his attendance at open auditions in November 1993 at Lillie’s nightclub in Dublin, organized by impresario Louis Walsh, where over 300 aspirants vied for spots in a prospective boy band; Gately's selections of ballads like Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" demonstrated his vocal range and emotional delivery.

Professional Career

Boyzone Era: Formation and Breakthrough (1993–2000)

Boyzone was formed in 1993 by Irish talent manager Louis Walsh, who held open auditions in Dublin attracting around 300 candidates, including a young Stephen Gately, aged 17, who was selected as one of the original five members alongside Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and Mikey Graham. The group secured early national exposure through a performance on RTÉ's The Late Late Show that year, marking their television debut with Gately contributing vocals in the lineup. Signed to , released their debut single "Key to My Life" on 29 April 1995, which peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and helped establish their presence in the European market. Their self-titled debut album followed later in 1995, topping the charts in both and the while achieving sales of over 1 million copies worldwide. Gately, known for his high range, provided key harmonies and supported lead vocals on ballads, enhancing the group's polished pop sound amid Walsh's hands-on management style that emphasized discipline and market positioning. The band's breakthrough accelerated in with the release of "Words," a cover of the ' 1968 track, which became their first No. 1 single on 20 October, topping the chart for one week and boosting album sales. Their second album A Different Beat (1996) and third Where We Belong (1998) both reached No. 1 in the , with the latter selling over 2 million copies globally and featuring Gately's contributions to harmonious ballads that defined Boyzone's emotional appeal. By 2000, the group had amassed worldwide exceeding 20 million, driven by 16 consecutive top-five singles, though internal strains emerged from Walsh's rigorous oversight and the pressures of non-stop touring and recording schedules.

Solo Career and Challenges (2000–2007)

Following Boyzone's hiatus in 2000, Stephen Gately launched his solo career with the single "New Beginning", released on 29 May 2000, which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. The track, co-written by Gately with , , and , featured uplifting elements reflective of his sound. His debut album of the same name followed in June 2000, reaching number 9 on the and blending tracks with ballads. Critics noted Gately's strong vocals as a highlight, with one review praising the album's overall cohesion and his defiant delivery on the title track, though it lacked the breakout commercial momentum of his group work. Subsequent singles included "I Believe" in October 2000, which charted in the UK Top 40, and "Stay" on 30 April 2001, also entering the Top 40 despite ongoing promotion. However, sales for these follow-ups proved disappointing compared to the debut single, contributing to commercial underperformance amid shifting teen pop market dynamics. In May 2001, while "Stay" remained in the charts, Polydor Records dropped Gately from their roster, citing lackluster single sales as the primary factor. The label's decision exacerbated challenges in establishing a distinct solo identity, as Gately grappled with public expectations tied to Boyzone's success and limited industry support for further releases. No additional solo albums materialized between 2001 and 2007, with Gately's efforts hampered by the absence of major label backing and the difficulty of transitioning from to independent artistry. This period marked a professional lull, underscored by milder personal setbacks like reported depression linked to career frustrations.

Boyzone Reunion and Final Performances (2007–2009)

In November 2007, Boyzone announced their reunion, beginning with a performance at the BBC's Children in Need charity event on November 16. The group, including Stephen Gately, followed this with plans for a full tour across the UK and Ireland scheduled for 2008. Gately expressed optimism about the band's future during early discussions, contributing to the positive momentum. The reunion culminated in the release of the Back Again... No Matter What – The Greatest Hits on October 13, , which peaked at number 4 on the . A live DVD, Back Again... No Matter What Live , documented their performances during the initial tour legs. The tour featured sold-out shows, such as at Belfast's Odyssey Arena, demonstrating sustained demand from fans in Ireland and the . In 2009, embarked on the Better Tour, promoting a new single "Better" ahead of a planned studio album, with dates spanning May to June across major venues including on and concluding at in London on June 22. Gately fully participated in these final group performances, which marked the span of the band's 16-year career from its 1993 formation. The tour's arena sell-outs underscored Boyzone's enduring popularity, generating significant revenue and affirming their loyal fanbase.

Other Ventures

Acting and Media Appearances

Gately made his professional stage debut in a leading role as in a revival production of the and musical Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat, which previewed at the New Theatre in in December 2002 before transferring to the Liverpool Empire over the Christmas season and opening at the New London Theatre in London's West End in early 2003. In animation, Gately provided the voice for the character Blackavar in the ITV animated series Watership Down, appearing in episodes from its first season in 1999. His feature film debut came in the 2008 psychological horror Credo (released as The Devil's Curse in some markets), where he portrayed the character Simon, a student involved in supernatural events at an abandoned Catholic residence. The low-budget independent production received mixed reviews for its execution but marked Gately's entry into on-screen acting beyond promotional or musical contexts. On television, Gately guest-starred as himself in an episode of the comedy Absolutely Fabulous in 2002. He also appeared in the ITV musical drama series (2008) and participated as a contestant in the first series of the reality competition in 2006, where he was eliminated in week five. These roles reflected efforts to diversify beyond his Boyzone image, though they garnered limited critical attention and often reinforced as a pop personality rather than a dramatic .

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Gately served as an ambassador for Caudwell Children, a UK-based charity supporting disabled children and their families, from 2008 until his death in 2009; he auctioned a private Christmas performance that raised thousands of pounds for the organization. He also acted as vice-patron for Missing People, a charity aiding families searching for missing children and vulnerable adults, from 2005 to 2007, contributing to awareness efforts through his public profile. His support extended to Irish causes, including the Marie Keating Foundation, a cancer support charity founded by the family of member ; Gately attended events and secured a £20,000 pledge for the organization in 2006. He participated in the Irish Autism Alliance initiatives in 2008, focusing on support for children with autism. Additionally, Gately co-hosted and performed at events in 1999, 2006, and 2007, aiding the helpline for abused children. Following his public as in 1999, Gately attended annual White Tie & Tiara Balls for the from 2003 to 2007, supporting the organization's efforts to fund prevention and treatment programs worldwide. These involvements emphasized practical over broader political advocacy, aligning with family-centric and health-related causes. Through , he contributed to by performing in 1997 and releasing the 1999 single "When the Going Gets Tough," which sold over 600,000 copies and generated funds for poverty alleviation, including child welfare projects.

Writing and Publications

Stephen Gately's literary endeavors were modest, centered on a single published work that reflected his longstanding aspiration to write for children. In , he began developing The Tree of Seasons, a fantasy envisioning a magical as a portal to four kingdoms embodying spring, summer, autumn, and winter, where young protagonists confront forces of good and evil amid seasonal imbalances. The narrative draws on themes of adventure, family bonds, and moral conflict in an otherworldly setting, crafted during periods away from his music commitments. Gately dedicated significant effort to the manuscript in the final months of his life, completing a substantial draft before his death on October 10, 2009. His partner Andrew Cowles, along with family members and close associates, reviewed and finalized the incomplete sections to preserve Gately's original intent, with editing focused on polishing the without altering core elements. Published posthumously by in May 2010, the book achieved commercial success, reaching bestseller lists in the and , buoyed by public interest in Gately's legacy. Reviews praised its vivid imagery and accessible storytelling for juvenile audiences, though it elicited mixed critical reception for its straightforward plot and occasional narrative inconsistencies attributed to posthumous completion. His output remained constrained by the rigors of a full-time performance schedule with and solo projects, precluding further publications or expansions into memoir-style reflections on fame. The Tree of Seasons stands as Gately's sole credited authorship, offering a window into his imaginative pursuits rather than autobiographical disclosures of industry pressures or personal experiences.

Personal Life

Relationships and Marriage

Gately maintained privacy regarding his early romantic relationships during 's rise in the 1990s. On June 15, 1999, he publicly disclosed his in an exclusive interview with The Sun, stating he was gay and in a relationship with Dutch singer of the band Caught in the Act; the announcement preempted a tabloid exposé by a former band associate. Gately emphasized his commitment to fans, asserting that transparency would not alter his obligations. The relationship with de Jong ended in early 2002. In 2002, Gately began a relationship with Andrew Cowles, an internet entrepreneur introduced through mutual friends. The couple held a commitment ceremony in in 2003 before formalizing their union via civil partnership on March 19, 2006, at London's under the UK's , which granted same-sex couples legal recognition equivalent to marriage at the time. They resided together in , , maintaining a low-profile domestic life focused on homeownership and travel, including purchases of properties in and . Gately's public initially strained family ties, particularly with his mother Margaret, who had spoken to tabloids on the announcement day, leading to a decade-long rift reconciled shortly before 2009. Despite such challenges, Gately and Cowles presented a model of enduring amid media attention on his , with Gately crediting the relationship for personal stability post-Boyzone hiatus.

Health History and Lifestyle Factors

Gately experienced significant challenges in the early 2000s following Boyzone's initial disbandment in 2000, including a three-year period of depression that contributed to an to prescription drugs. This phase was marked by professional setbacks, such as being dropped by his in 2001, after which medical professionals prescribed medications that exacerbated his dependency. With support from , who intervened to aid his recovery and introduced him to partner Andrew Cowles, Gately overcame the addiction by 2002. No major physical health conditions were publicly diagnosed or reported during Gately's career, including no known despite a family history of cardiac issues on his father's side later cited by relatives. Gately's lifestyle involved frequent travel and social outings, consistent with his profession and personal relationships, though he and his bandmates consistently denied any involvement in illicit in public statements. He emphasized and healthy habits in later interviews, reflecting a commitment to stability post-recovery.

Death

Circumstances and Discovery

On October 9, 2009, Stephen Gately and his civil partner Andrew Cowles, while vacationing at their apartment in Port d'Andratx, Majorca, went out to a gay nightclub in nearby Palma where they met Bulgarian national Georgi Dochev. The three men returned to the apartment in the early hours of October 10 after socializing and drinking. Gately reportedly fell asleep on the living room sofa shortly after their arrival, while Cowles and Dochev retired to bed. Around 1:30 p.m., Dochev awoke and discovered Gately unresponsive, describing his body as pale and cold; he immediately alerted Cowles, who attempted to revive him with CPR. Gately's family later maintained that Cowles was the one who found the body, amid reports emphasizing Dochev's role in the initial discovery. Emergency services were summoned to the scene, and local police conducted an initial investigation, finding no evidence of foul play or external trauma. Gately was pronounced dead at approximately 2:25 p.m.

Autopsy Findings and Official Ruling

A post-mortem examination conducted on October 13, 2009, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, determined that Stephen Gately's immediate cause of death was acute pulmonary oedema, involving a buildup of fluid in the lungs that led to respiratory failure. This finding was linked to an underlying undiagnosed congenital heart defect, as confirmed by subsequent medical analysis of the pathology results, which pointed to a hereditary cardiac arrhythmia consistent with sudden adult death syndrome (SADS). Spanish judicial authorities, following review of the report, officially ruled the death as due to natural causes, with no signs of external trauma, violence, or suspicious circumstances. The investigating judge authorized the release of Gately's body for to and closed the inquiry without recommending additional probes, a determination aligned with statements from his family accepting the natural causation.

Toxicology and Medical Context

Toxicology examinations conducted following Stephen Gately's death on October 10, 2009, revealed the presence of therapeutic levels of antidepressants and trace amounts of , but no evidence of illicit , excessive alcohol consumption, or any substances at levels capable of inducing fatal intoxication. These results aligned with the official determination of natural causes, excluding acute or substance-induced as etiological factors. The primary pathology identified was , characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lung alveoli and interstitial spaces, stemming from an undiagnosed that impaired ventricular function. In such cardiogenic cases, left ventricular strain elevates pulmonary venous pressure, forcing plasma to transude across membranes into the lungs, thereby compromising and leading to rapid cardiorespiratory collapse. This mechanism was consistent with the post-mortem findings, where heart enlargement and fluid buildup were noted without external precipitants like or trauma. While is uncommon in otherwise healthy young adults aged 33, as in Gately's case, it has been documented in instances of latent congenital anomalies, such as familial or valvular defects, which may remain until acute . Gately's family history included similar hereditary cardiac vulnerabilities on the paternal side, underscoring how undetected structural weaknesses can precipitate sudden failure under minimal physiological stress, independent of lifestyle factors. Such occurrences, though rare—comprising less than 5% of sudden cardiac deaths in young adults—highlight the causal primacy of innate defects over acquired risks when corroborated by .

Controversies Surrounding Death

Jan Moir's Daily Mail Column

On October 16, 2009, Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir published an opinion piece titled "Why there was nothing 'natural' about Stephen Gately's death" (later retitled "A strange, lonely and troubling death"), in which she argued that the circumstances surrounding Gately's death warranted scrutiny beyond the official attribution to natural causes. Moir emphasized reported details, including Gately's night out clubbing with his civil partner Andrew Cowles and an unrelated third party, Bulgarian national Georgi Dochev, before he was found dead on a sofa in pajamas the following morning. She noted the confirmation of cannabis residue in the apartment and questioned the narrative of a sudden, unexplained death in a healthy 33-year-old, stating, "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again." Moir described the events as "sleazy" and indicative of potential risks associated with certain lifestyle elements, without claiming direct causation but highlighting what she saw as a disconnect between the idyllic media portrayal of Gately's civil and the reality of the incident. She critiqued for applying a "saccharine" gloss that obscured underlying issues, such as the involvement of a stranger in the holiday accommodations and the implications for the "happy-ever-after myth of civil partnerships." Her piece called for candid discussion of how , substance use, or other behaviors prevalent in some segments of gay culture might contribute to health vulnerabilities, contrasting this with euphemistic coverage that prioritized a sanitized image over factual inquiry. The column rested on publicly reported facts from Spanish authorities and witnesses, including Dochev's account of the group's activities and the autopsy's preliminary findings of , while positing that the full context demanded transparency rather than reflexive dismissal of factors. Moir maintained that avoiding such examination perpetuated , particularly in light of Gately's public image as a in the gay community.

Public Backlash and Press Regulation Debate

The column by , published on October 16, 2009, prompted an unprecedented public response, with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) receiving over 25,000 complaints, the highest volume ever recorded for a single article at the time. Many complainants accused the piece of homophobia, inaccuracy, and insensitivity toward Gately's and the circumstances of his death. Media outlets and advocacy groups amplified the outrage, leading to demands for Moir's suspension, advertiser withdrawals from the Daily Mail, and broader discussions on press accountability. Figures such as publicly condemned the article as "vile," while online campaigns and petitions surged, reflecting coordinated efforts to challenge the publication's editorial stance. This reaction contrasted with muted responses to analogous commentary on non-celebrity or non-LGBTQ+ sudden deaths involving lifestyle factors, underscoring patterns of disproportionate scrutiny in cases tied to cultural sensitivities. In response to a formal complaint from Gately's partner, Andrew Cowles, the PCC adjudicated in February 2010, ruling that no breach of the editors' code occurred. The commission emphasized that the article was explicitly opinion-based, not presented as factual reporting, and thus protected under principles of free expression, even where it caused offense or discomfort. The decision highlighted tensions between public sentiment and regulatory standards, rejecting claims of discrimination or inaccuracy while affirming newspapers' latitude for provocative commentary.

Scientific and Lifestyle Perspectives

The autopsy conducted on October 13, 2009, determined that Stephen Gately's death resulted from acute pulmonary edema caused by an undiagnosed congenital heart defect, leading to sudden heart failure without evidence of external factors such as trauma, overdose, or intoxication. Toxicology reports confirmed the absence of recreational drugs in his system, and while he had consumed alcohol during a nightclub outing hours prior to retiring, authorities explicitly ruled out binge drinking or substance use as contributory to the fatal event. This aligns with medical consensus that pulmonary edema in such cases stems primarily from cardiac inefficiency, where fluid accumulates in the lungs due to impaired pumping from a structural defect, often undetected until a terminal episode. Scientific literature indicates that congenital heart defects, particularly those affecting ventricular function, can remain asymptomatic until adulthood and precipitate sudden death via mechanisms like arrhythmia or acute decompensation, as potentially seen in sudden adult death syndrome (SADS). In Gately's instance, the defect likely involved an innate weakness in cardiac tissue, capable of causing rapid fluid buildup independent of overt risk factors; epidemiological data show such undiagnosed anomalies account for a notable portion of unexpected cardiac fatalities in young adults under 35, with UK statistics reporting approximately 12 such deaths weekly from hidden conditions. While lifestyle elements like chronic stress from high-performance careers in entertainment or episodic alcohol intake can theoretically strain a compromised heart—evidenced by studies linking acute alcohol consumption to transient increases in pulmonary capillary pressure in vulnerable individuals—no direct causal link was established here, as confirmatory tests negated exacerbation beyond the innate pathology. Debates in highlight that pulmonary 's presentation can overlap with lifestyle-mediated triggers, such as from exertion or during sleep, yet Gately's case lacks substantiation for these as primary accelerators, privileging the autopsy's attribution to natural progression of the defect. Empirical research on cardiogenic underscores modifiable risks like or in general populations, but for congenital cases, dominates, with holistic assessments weighing verifiable antecedents (e.g., recent post-socializing) against the absence of cumulative markers like or use in Gately's profile. This perspective maintains the official natural ruling while recognizing that undetected defects render even ostensibly lifestyles susceptible to abrupt failure, without imputing unverified habits.

Legacy

Musical Contributions and Influence

Stephen Gately contributed as co-lead vocalist to , an Irish pop group formed in 1993 by manager , emphasizing group harmonies in their ballad-heavy repertoire over individual spotlighting. His tenor-range vocals supported the band's formula of synchronized performances and covers of adult contemporary hits, aligning with the 1990s boyband trend that prioritized collective appeal. Gately delivered lead vocals on "," Boyzone's 1998 cover that became their fourth UK number-one single, helping propel the track to sales exceeding 1.12 million copies in the UK alone. Boyzone achieved six UK number-one singles and multiple chart-topping albums during Gately's tenure, with UK certifications for 6.3 million albums and 8 million singles by the . Worldwide, the group sold over 8.5 million albums, contributing quantitatively to the commercial viability of harmony-driven pop acts. Gately also co-wrote tracks like "A Different Beat," which reached number one in Ireland, showcasing his input into the band's songwriting process that blended original material with strategic pop confections. In his solo debut, Gately released New Beginning on July 17, 2000, featuring a mix of tracks and ballads that attempted modest departures from Boyzone's sound through upbeat rhythms and personal lyricism. The album received mixed-to-positive reviews for its production but achieved limited commercial traction, underscoring the challenges of transitioning from to individual artistry in the saturated pop market. Gately's efforts highlighted the export of Irish vocal talent, paving a path for subsequent acts under Walsh's management like , which similarly capitalized on polished, harmony-centric pop to dominate international charts.

Posthumous Tributes and Cultural Reflection

Following Gately's death on October 10, 2009, a service was held on October 17 at St Laurence O'Toole Church in , attended by thousands of mourners including fans, family, and celebrities, who lined the streets in a display of public affection for the singer. bandmates , Mikey Graham, , and delivered emotional eulogies, describing Gately as their "brother" and emphasizing his role in the group's success, with Keating noting the band's unity in grief. The event underscored Gately's status as a local figure from Dublin's , fostering a sense of communal loss rather than celebrity spectacle. Boyzone incorporated dedications to Gately into subsequent performances, reflecting his enduring presence in the group's identity. During the BZ20 reunion tour in 2013, the band performed an emotional rendition of "Better" as a , highlighting Gately's vocal contributions and the personal toll of his absence on . Similar gestures appeared in anniversary shows, such as the 2018 BZ25 tour, where songs like "Gave It All Away" and "" were framed as memorials to his memory, maintaining a thread of continuity amid lineup changes. These tributes balanced professional continuity with acknowledgment of loss, without altering the group's core repertoire. Posthumously, Gately's legacy prompted reflections on the boyband era, marked by rapid commercialization of youth-oriented pop through talent-scouted ensembles like , which achieved multimillion sales but exemplified the format's ephemerality. While admired for accessible melodies and Gately's harmonious leads that appealed to global audiences, the phenomenon faced critiques for its manufactured dynamics, including intense schedules and image control that prioritized marketability over artistic depth. Gately's unwitting role as an early openly gay pop figure— in 1999 amid band pressures—added a layer of pioneering resilience, though his career trajectory mirrored the era's brevity, with solo efforts post-Boyzone yielding modest results before his return to group activities. This duality—talent-driven appeal versus structural transience—framed broader assessments of his contributions to a genre defined by collective branding over individual longevity.

Recent Commemorations

In February 2025, released the three-part series Boyzone: No Matter What, which chronicles the band's rise to fame and candidly revisits Stephen Gately's 2009 death through archival footage and interviews with surviving members , , Mikey Graham, and . The documentary addresses persistent rumors about the circumstances of his passing, emphasizing the official findings of natural causes due to congenital heart defects, while highlighting Gately's personal struggles with fame and his role in the group's dynamic. Reviewers noted the emotional depth in segments discussing his as gay in 1999 and the subsequent media scrutiny, framing these as pivotal to understanding his legacy amid boyband pressures. On October 10, 2024, marking the 15th anniversary of Gately's death, Keating shared an post with a band photo, captioning it simply "15 Years" alongside a broken heart , reflecting on the enduring void left by his bandmate. Duffy similarly posted about Gately's "infectious energy," stating it remained a daily presence in their lives, while Lynch echoed sentiments of missing him "dearly" and cherishing shared memories. These tributes, amplified across media outlets, underscored a collective band resolve to honor Gately's contributions without revisiting unsubstantiated speculations. Building on the documentary's reception, announced in September 2025 a one-off reunion performance titled One For The Road, explicitly dedicated to ensuring "he's in the room" through symbolic gestures and performances of his signature tracks. The event, slated for late 2025, aims to celebrate Gately's influence on their enduring fanbase, with proceeds partly supporting heart health initiatives in line with the medical context of his death. This follows fan-driven commemorations, including virtual vigils on platforms like , which have sustained discourse on his artistry into 2025.

Works

Discography

Stephen Gately contributed vocals to all releases by the Irish during his membership from 1994 to 2000. The group achieved five number one albums on the , including their debut , released on 21 August 1995, which was certified triple platinum in the for sales exceeding 900,000 units. Subsequent albums A Different Beat (1996) and Where We Belong (1998) also topped the chart, with the latter selling over 2.1 million copies worldwide. The 1999 compilation By Request reached number one and sold more than 3.2 million copies globally. Boyzone's singles during this period included six number ones, such as "" in 1998, with sixteen consecutive top-five entries on the UK Singles Chart.
AlbumRelease YearUK Peak PositionWorldwide Sales (est.)
Said and Done19951N/A
A Different Beat19961N/A
Where We Belong199812,155,000
By Request (compilation)199913,248,288
Gately's solo career began with the New Beginning, released on 26 June 2000 by Universal Records, featuring twelve tracks including self-co-written songs like "New Beginning" and "Judgement Day." The album peaked at number 9 on the . Singles from the album included "New Beginning/Bright Eyes" (May 2000) and "I Believe" (October 2000), with the latter produced by . A third single, "Stay," followed in 2001. Gately also appeared on the 1999 charity Abbamania, performing "."

Filmography

Gately's acting credits were sparse, reflecting pursuits secondary to his primary in music with . His screen roles included voice work in and a lead in a low-budget , with additional guest appearances programs.
YearTitleRoleMediumNotes
1999Blackavar (voice)Animated TV seriesProvided voice for the character and performed a cover of the theme song.
2000UnspecifiedCredited acting role in the musical directed by .
2006The Rocky Horror Tribute ShowHimself/performerTV specialParticipated in tribute performance.
2008The Devil's CurseSimonLead role in the , also known as Killr: Mind of a Killer in some markets.
2008HimselfTV series in the comedy series.
2008HimselfTV seriesCameo in the musical series.
These roles garnered limited critical attention, with The Devil's Curse receiving obscurity typical of independent horror productions released . Gately also made various television appearances as a musical performer or guest, such as on , but these did not involve scripted acting.

Bibliography

Gately, Stephen. The Tree of Seasons. : Hodder & Stoughton, 2010. ISBN 978-1-4447-0653-7. The novel, a begun by Gately in 2005 and completed posthumously by his partner Andrew Cowles and sister Michelle Gately following his death in October 2009, depicts a battle between in an imagined world.

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  122. https://www.discogs.com/master/114077-Stephen-Gately-New-Beginning
  123. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/stephen-gately-new-beginningbright-eyes/
  124. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/stephen-gately-i-believe/
  125. https://www.discogs.com/release/10233114-Stephen-Gately-Stay
  126. https://www.discogs.com/release/1891988-Various-Abbamania
  127. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/94858-stephen-gately
  128. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Stephen_Gately
  129. https://www.stephen-gately.org/television
  130. https://www.stephengately.co.uk/about-the-book/
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