On October 10, 2009, the music world was shaken by the sudden and tragic death of Stephen Gately, member of the popular Irish boy band Boyzone. Gately, who was only 33 years old at the time, passed away at his home in Mallorca, Spain. His unexpected demise not only left his bandmates heartbroken but also reverberated through the global fan base of Boyzone, leading to widespread mourning.
A new three-part documentary titled Boyzone: No Matter What, set to air on February 2, offers fans and viewers a poignant glimpse of Gately’s life and the band’s heartfelt response to his untimely passing. The series delves deep, shedding light on memories shared by Gately's friends and family, particularly his bandmates Ronan Keaton, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch, and Mikey Graham.
Reflecting on the moment he received the heartbreaking news, Ronan Keaton recounted, "My phone rang, it was a solicitor by the name of Gerald Kean. He said, 'I'm sorry to tell you, but Stephen has passed away.' I said, 'Stephen who?' And he said, 'Stephen Gately.'" The harrowing moment marked the start of overwhelming grief for the Boyzone family. Shane Lynch described the intensity of the phone call: "It was late, in the bar we're drinking. Ro's voice became louder. He was like, 'Steo, Steo, he's gone.'"
The immediate reaction from the group was one of disbelief, with Keith Duffy expressing, "It just wouldn't go in. What? No, not our Stephen!" The band's emotional state was fragile, and Ronan became visibly overwhelmed as he remembered the harrowing night. "And I hear them screaming. It's really hard. I can still hear them. I can't breathe. My legs go from under me," Ronan stated.
Gately's death stemmed from acute pulmonary edema due to an undiagnosed heart condition. For those who knew him, it felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under them. Just the day before, Gately was reported to have been enjoying life with his partner, Andrew Cowles, as they spent time decorating their holiday home after returning from dinner. Witnesses noted he seemed cheerful and engaged, demonstrating little to no signs of health issues. One neighbor shared with The Mirror: "I spoke to them on the Saturday evening and they said they were just going to chill out at home. Stephen said he was tired..." The shocking nature of his passing spurred many questions from loved ones and fans alike.
When Stephen was found dead on the sofa the following afternoon, it left his family and friends desperate for answers. His widower, Andrew, described their last night together, saying, "I do get some comfort from knowing how happy he was... The night he died, we'd had such a good time, a lovely evening." Gately’s death resulted from natural causes, confirmed by post-mortem and toxicology reports, but the revelations sparked initial confusion among family members, prompting Gately's brother, Tony, to call for a fresh investigation years later: "A few things about the night don't make sense," he remarked.
Within the documentary, bandmate Shane Lynch recounted their urgent desire to be together after learning of Gately's death: "Our instinct was just to get together so... What do you need?" They immediately rushed to Mallorca to bring back his body, demonstrating their bond and support for one another during such trying times.
The band issued an emotional tribute following Stephen's passing, stating, "We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen... He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world." Their heartfelt message encapsulates not only their grief but their deep affection for the man they simply referred to as "Steo."
Gately’s legacy is one of love and unity, as evidenced by the memories shared and the mourning felt by his fans and family. Through the documentary, viewers will have the opportunity to reflect on Gately’s life and the impact he had on those around him—including how his passing influenced the remaining members of Boyzone both personally and professionally.
The premiere of Boyzone: No Matter What will provide insight for longtime fans and introduce Gately's remarkable life and career to new audiences. Through the pain and remembrance, the film serves to celebrate his legacy, reminding us all of the fragility of life and the love shared between friends and bandmates.
For more information about the documentary and to catch all heartfelt tributes, fans are directed to Sky Documentaries and NOW, with the episode available beginning February 2, 2025.