News

Stephen Gateley's Family Will Scatter His Ashes On His First Anniversary

• 29th Sep 2010

The ceremony will be held at a secret location in Ireland on October 10 and will be attended by his bandmate Keith Duffy, who has revealed he will be laid to rest in “one of his favourite places”.

The rest of the band – Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch – will be in Australia at the time.

Stephen died at his home in Majorca aged 33 from an undiagnosed heart condition.

His bandmates were heavily involved in the arrangements for his body to be returned to the group’s native Ireland and stayed with him overnight at St Laurence O'Toole's church in Dublin, where his funeral was held, because they didn't want Stephen to be alone.

They also organised a 12-hour wake for him which was attended by fellow Irish boy band Westlife, members of Take That and Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.

After the wake Shane said: “We gave Stephen the farewell he deserved. We all deal with grief in our own way, and this was our way.

“It was a brilliant night, fitting for a brilliant person. We will never forget him.”

The band also named their fourth album ‘Brother’ in tribute to him.

Stephen’s civil partner Andrew Cowles received £1 million from his estate after his death, as he did not have a will, although Andrew has said he wanted the money to go to either his family or charity.