Ireland was shocked when Stephen Gately who was achieving all his dreams both professionally and personally was found dead at just 33 years old in 2009.
The Boyzone singer had been enjoying a month-long holiday in the Majorcan resort of Port d'Andrat with his husband Andrew Cowles at the time, after recently finishing Boyzone's Back Again...No Matter What tour ahead of their fourth studio album, Brother.
The couple started seeing each other in 2002 after being introduced by mutual friends Elton John and David Furnish.
A year later, they had a commitment ceremony in a wedding chapel while on holiday in Las Vegas in 2003, and entered into a civil partnership on 19 March 2006 during a ceremony in London.
The loved up couple were excitedly preparing to welcome friends and family for a visit to their holiday home in Majorca that Saturday, however, tragically Andrew found Stephen dead on the couch, after the couple had been sleeping the following afternoon.
Bandmate and close friend Ronan Keating recalled the moment he first learned of the death of Stephen, who they called, 'Steo.'
"My phone rang, it was a solicitor by the name of Gerald Kean that Boyzone had used in the 90s. Gerald says to me, 'I'm sorry to tell you, but Stephen has passed away.' I said, 'Stephen who?' And he said, 'Stephen Gately.' I had to call Louis and the guys and give them the news”, he recalled with great emotion in the upcoming documentary Boyzone: No Matter What, which will air on Sky on February 2.
For Stephen’s devastated friends and family, his sudden death came as a great shock, and it was later confirmed that Stephen had suffered 'acute' pulmonary oedema - or fluid on the lungs - with his death ultimately being caused by an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.
The pathology report confirmed his death was not related to drink or drugs, and speaking about his last day, partner Andrew told the Mirror: "I do get some comfort from knowing how happy he was that day. The night he died, we'd had such a good time, a lovely evening in our favourite restaurant. He was the most happy and confident he'd been in his life."
Stephen was pronounced dead at 2.25 pm but had passed away in his sleep hours before. "We know from the pathologist's report that Stephen died sleeping with me on the sofa," devastated Andrew told the Mirror. I know that my boy fell asleep under my arm, his heart stopped, he didn't feel any pain."
Speaking about breaking the news to his friends and bandmates in the documentary Ronan broke down in tears as he recalled: "I hear them screaming. It's really hard. I can still hear them. I can't breathe. My legs go from under me."
"It would get through in little bits, and then it would be a complete breakdown." Keith Duffy added.
At the time the band released a statement saying: "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'."
When his devastated mum admitted her fear that her son didn't "like to be alone", his bandmates decided he didn't have to be. Ronan, Keith, Shane and Mikey held an overnight vigil at St Laurence O'Toole Roman Catholic church in Dublin, spending the night sleeping on the floor next to their beloved bandmate's coffin. "We cried and we laughed and we could hear him telling us jokes, and we could hear him answering back..." Ronan told Sky News.
"It was a beautiful, amazing experience to be there with Steo that night." Afterwards, they emerged from the church and gave their sleeping bags to fans who'd spent the night outside, with 3,500 showing up to pay their respects to the Irish star
Boyzone: No Matter What is on February 2 on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW.
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