Reports suggest that the four remaining members of Boyzone will carry Stephen Gately’s coffin at his funeral on Saturday in Dublin.
Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham will act as pallbearers , along with two Gately family members at the service at St Laurence O’Toole church in Dublin’s inner city, a few yards from where the singer grew up.
Stephen died in Majorca on Saturday from natural causes. An autopsy revealed he had cannabis in his system but it was not the cause of his death. This is believed to have been triggered by a previously undetected heart condition.
'He is now lying in a chapel of rest in a small vilage in the hills of Majorca whilst repatriation formalities continue,' the band's website.
'Ronan, Keith, Mikey & Shane would once more like to thank everyone for the great many messages of condolence they have received from all over the world. Seeing the love and warmth that so many people have felt for Stephen has been a true comfort for them over the past few days.
The remaining Boyzone members will now fly back out to Majorca today to bring the body home by private jet. They have been comforting Stephen’s grieving parents Margaret and Martin at their home, and it’s rumoured the bandmates will spend an overnight vigil in the church with Stephen’s body before the funeral.
The singer's husband Andrew Cowles, parents Martin and Margaret and siblings Michelle, Tony, Alan and Mark and will be joined by manager Louis Walsh and other celebrity friends for the funeral, which starts at midday.
"Stephen's husband Andrew and his family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public," lawyer Gerald Kean told Sky News.
"This is an extremely difficult time for the family but they are lifted by the fact everyone who ever met Stephen Gately had positive, happy memories.
"He was a unique, beautiful young man."
Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets for the service and there are reports the Sherriff district of Dublin is undergoing a massive clear up ahead of the ceremony. A further memorial service is to be held in London where Stephen and Andrew shared their home at a date and venue to be confirmed.and
