Drinking binge killed Boyzone singer?

An eight hour drinking binge may have killed late singer Stephen Gately of the band Boyzone. According to British tabloid The Sun, the 33-year-old was not a habitual drinker but had got 'totally trashed' during a night at a gay club on the island of Majorca where he was holidaying with his civil partner Andy Cowles. This file photo of Gatley is dated April 7, 1998. (Photo: AFP)

  • An eight hour drinking binge may have killed late singer Stephen Gately of the band Boyzone. According to British tabloid The Sun, the 33-year-old was not a habitual drinker but had got 'totally trashed' during a night at a gay club on the island of Majorca where he was holidaying with his civil partner Andy Cowles. This file photo of Gatley is dated April 7, 1998. (Photo: AFP)
    An eight hour drinking binge may have killed late singer Stephen Gately of the band Boyzone. According to British tabloid The Sun, the 33-year-old was not a habitual drinker but had got 'totally trashed' during a night at a gay club on the island of Majorca where he was holidaying with his civil partner Andy Cowles. This file photo of Gatley is dated April 7, 1998. (Photo: AFP)
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  • The death of Gatley on Saturday, October 10, 2009, close to the untimely demise of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, has sent shockwaves through the music world. According to The Sun, Gatley and Cowles were seen getting high on a potent combination of cocktails and white wine before meeting up with 25-year-old Bulgarian Giorgi Duchev. Giorgi is believed to have accompanied the duo back to their �1million apartment where they continued to drink. In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Irish band Boyzone Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating and Mikey Graham, from left, are seen arriving at the Caudwell Children's Charity Legends Ball in London. (Photo: AP)
    The death of Gatley on Saturday, October 10, 2009, close to the untimely demise of the King of Pop Michael Jackson, has sent shockwaves through the music world. According to The Sun, Gatley and Cowles were seen getting high on a potent combination of cocktails and white wine before meeting up with 25-year-old Bulgarian Giorgi Duchev. Giorgi is believed to have accompanied the duo back to their £1million apartment where they continued to drink. In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Irish band Boyzone Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating and Mikey Graham, from left, are seen arriving at the Caudwell Children's Charity Legends Ball in London. (Photo: AP)
  • By the time Gately, Cowles and Giorgi returned to the apartment at 4:30 am, the Boyzone singer may have been 'totally trashed', a partygoer who shared a drink with them at the bar, reportedly said. In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Irish band Boyzone, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating and Mikey Graham, from left, arrive at the Caudwell Children's Charity Legends Ball in London. (Photo: AP)
    By the time Gately, Cowles and Giorgi returned to the apartment at 4:30 am, the Boyzone singer may have been 'totally trashed', a partygoer who shared a drink with them at the bar, reportedly said. In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Irish band Boyzone, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating and Mikey Graham, from left, arrive at the Caudwell Children's Charity Legends Ball in London. (Photo: AP)
  • According to The Sun, Andy went off to bed at around 5.30am, leaving Stephen asleep on a sofa. He was discovered around midday in a strange 'prayer position', squatting on the floor with his head face down on a pillow on the sofa. Police have suggested he choked on his vomit. Efforts to revive him failed. This file picture of Gately (L) shows him performing live on stage at the launch of the Smash Hits tour started in Newcastle on November 22, 1996. (Photo: AFP)
    According to The Sun, Andy went off to bed at around 5.30am, leaving Stephen asleep on a sofa. He was discovered around midday in a strange 'prayer position', squatting on the floor with his head face down on a pillow on the sofa. Police have suggested he choked on his vomit. Efforts to revive him failed. This file picture of Gately (L) shows him performing live on stage at the launch of the Smash Hits tour started in Newcastle on November 22, 1996. (Photo: AFP)
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  • A general view of the apartment complex in Port D'Andratx, island of Majorca, on Sunday Oct. 11, 2009 where Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was found dead on Saturday October 11. Spanish police are not treating Gately's death as suspicious and have said that so far there is no evidence to suggest drug taking. However results of a postmortem are still awaited. (Photo: AP)
    A general view of the apartment complex in Port D'Andratx, island of Majorca, on Sunday Oct. 11, 2009 where Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was found dead on Saturday October 11. Spanish police are not treating Gately's death as suspicious and have said that so far there is no evidence to suggest drug taking. However results of a postmortem are still awaited. (Photo: AP)
  • A cameraman films the house where Irish boy band Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately died on Saturday Oct. 11 while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp near Port D'Andratx on the Spanish island of Majorca on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Stephen and his partner owned the luxury apartment. According to media reports, the Boyzone star was working on a children's novel called 'The Tree of Seasons', meant for release around Christmas. (Photo: AP)
    A cameraman films the house where Irish boy band Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately died on Saturday Oct. 11 while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp near Port D'Andratx on the Spanish island of Majorca on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. Stephen and his partner owned the luxury apartment. According to media reports, the Boyzone star was working on a children's novel called 'The Tree of Seasons', meant for release around Christmas. (Photo: AP)
  • Keith Duffy, member of the Irish Band Boyzone arrives at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday October 11, 2009. Band members Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch released a statement in which they said they were 'devastated by the loss of our friend and brother'. (Photo: AP)
    Keith Duffy, member of the Irish Band Boyzone arrives at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday October 11, 2009. Band members Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch released a statement in which they said they were 'devastated by the loss of our friend and brother'. (Photo: AP)
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  • Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone, with left to right: Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, and Mikey Graham, as they arrive at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday, October 11, 2009. This is what band members had to say on their official website after Gately's death: "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'"." (Photo:AP)
    Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone, with left to right: Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, and Mikey Graham, as they arrive at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday, October 11, 2009. This is what band members had to say on their official website after Gately's death: "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'"." (Photo:AP)
  • Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone, Ronan Keating, and Mikey Graham, right, arrive with other members of the group at the Palma de Mallorca airport on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Gatley alongwith Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of Boyzone. Originally from Dublin's Sheriff Street, he was born on March 17th, 1976 and joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering a newspaper advert. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the UK, their third and last being their most successful internationally. (Photo: AP)
    Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone, Ronan Keating, and Mikey Graham, right, arrive with other members of the group at the Palma de Mallorca airport on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Gatley alongwith Ronan Keating, was one of two lead singers of Boyzone. Originally from Dublin's Sheriff Street, he was born on March 17th, 1976 and joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering a newspaper advert. All of Boyzone's studio albums hit number one in the UK, their third and last being their most successful internationally. (Photo: AP)
  • Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone from left to right: Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham, as they arrive at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday October 11, 2009. With Boyzone Gately had a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles enter the top five of the UK Singles Chart. He performed for millions of fans globally. He released his only solo album in 2000, after the groups initial breakup, which charted in the UK top ten and yielded three UK hit singles including the top three hit 'New Beginning.'(Photo: AP)
    Members of the Irish boy band Boyzone from left to right: Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham, as they arrive at the Palma de Mallorca airport, Spain, on Sunday October 11, 2009. With Boyzone Gately had a record-breaking sixteen consecutive singles enter the top five of the UK Singles Chart. He performed for millions of fans globally. He released his only solo album in 2000, after the groups initial breakup, which charted in the UK top ten and yielded three UK hit singles including the top three hit 'New Beginning.'(Photo: AP)
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  • Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately went on to appear variously in successful stage productions and on television programmes as well as contributing further solo tracks to various compilations and soundtracks. In 2008, he rejoined his colleagues as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings. (Photo: AFP)
    Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately went on to appear variously in successful stage productions and on television programmes as well as contributing further solo tracks to various compilations and soundtracks. In 2008, he rejoined his colleagues as Boyzone reformed for a series of concerts and recordings. (Photo: AFP)
  • Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately wed Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006. In 1999, he became one of the first pop stars to come out as gay.(Photo: AFP)
    Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately wed Andrew Cowles, first in a commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in 2003 and more formally in a civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006. In 1999, he became one of the first pop stars to come out as gay.(Photo: AFP)
  • Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately is survived by his older brothers Mark and Alan, his younger brother Tony and his sister Michelle, as well as his mother Margaret and father Martin. (Photo: AFP)
    Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately is survived by his older brothers Mark and Alan, his younger brother Tony and his sister Michelle, as well as his mother Margaret and father Martin. (Photo: AFP)
  • Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately is survived by his older brothers Mark and Alan, his younger brother Tony and his sister Michelle, as well as his mother Margaret and father Martin. (Photo: AFP)
    Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. Gately is survived by his older brothers Mark and Alan, his younger brother Tony and his sister Michelle, as well as his mother Margaret and father Martin. (Photo: AFP)
  • A member of music band Boyzone holds his phone upon his arrival at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. In his last post on his official Twitter page dated October 5, Gately wrote he was 'still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.' (Photo: AFP)
    A member of music band Boyzone holds his phone upon his arrival at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. In his last post on his official Twitter page dated October 5, Gately wrote he was 'still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here.' (Photo: AFP)
  • Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. The stars were driven to Stephen'sapartment and went inside through an underground car park without making any comment. They were inside the flat for an hour, according to reports. (Photo: AFP)
    Members of music band Boyzone arrive at Palma de Mallorca's Airport on October 11, 2009, a day after, lead singer Stephen Gately died on the Spanish island of Majorca. The stars were driven to Stephen'sapartment and went inside through an underground car park without making any comment. They were inside the flat for an hour, according to reports. (Photo: AFP)
  • A view of the house where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately died while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp on the Spanish island of Majorca on October 11, 2009. A spokesman for Stephen's family in his native Ireland has described his death as 'a tragic accident'. (Photo: AFP)
    A view of the house where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately died while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp on the Spanish island of Majorca on October 11, 2009. A spokesman for Stephen's family in his native Ireland has described his death as 'a tragic accident'. (Photo: AFP)
  • A cameraman films the house where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately of Ireland died while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp on the Spanish island of Majorca on October 11, 2009. Ronan Keating was in Chicago to run a marathon when he was told of his bandmate's tragic death. "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't believe it's real. Stephen was loved by every one of us. He was one of the most caring, compassionate an gentle people I've ever known," he was quoted as saying. (Photo: AFP)
    A cameraman films the house where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately of Ireland died while on vacation in the village of Cala Llamp on the Spanish island of Majorca on October 11, 2009. Ronan Keating was in Chicago to run a marathon when he was told of his bandmate's tragic death. "I'm absolutely devastated. I can't believe it's real. Stephen was loved by every one of us. He was one of the most caring, compassionate an gentle people I've ever known," he was quoted as saying. (Photo: AFP)
  • Two people walk past the morgue where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately's body rests on October 11, 2009. Although foul play and suicide have virtually been ruled out, a postmortem will be conducted later this week to determine exact cause of death. Gately's family hopes to have the body returned soon for the funeral in Dublin. (Photo: AFP)
    Two people walk past the morgue where Boyzone lead singer Stephen Gately's body rests on October 11, 2009. Although foul play and suicide have virtually been ruled out, a postmortem will be conducted later this week to determine exact cause of death. Gately's family hopes to have the body returned soon for the funeral in Dublin. (Photo: AFP)