Sir Elton leads tributes to singer

12 April 2012

Sir Elton John has led tributes to Stephen Gately, saying he was the "kindest, gentlest soul".

The 33-year-old Boyzone singer died while on holiday in Majorca yesterday.

Sir Elton said: "David (Furnish) and I are stunned by this tragedy."

He continued: "Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

A spokesman for former Boyzone member Ronan Keating said the star was "totally devastated" and was on his way back from the United States at the moment.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern paid tribute to Gately, who he knew, on the BBC's Andrew Marr show.

He said: "The Gatelys are in my own constituency. I know the family, I know Stephen.

"Ronan Keating is a very good friend of my daughter's, my family.

"He (Gately) was with us the other night with his boyfriend Andy, he came to my book launch."

Mr Ahern, whose daughter Georgina is married to Nicky Byrne of boyband Westlife, continued: "It's just such a tragedy."

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