Singer's family denies Gately booze marathon

Claims that Boyzone star Stephen Gately died after a marathon drinking session have been rejected by his family.

Lawyer Gerald Kean said it was wrong to suggest that the star died after eight hours boozing on the Spanish holiday island of Majorca.

Relatives of the 33-year-old Irish pop singer and actor insisted his death was a "tragic accident" and that no foul play was involved.

"An eight-hour drinking session is something we do not accept," Mr Kean said. "Wherever that is coming from, our information would suggest that is simply wrong."

Spanish police said there were "no signs of suspicious circumstances" after Mr Gately was found dead at his home in the resort of Port Andratx on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Kean, who was asked to act as spokesman for the family and talked to Mr Gately's mother Margaret yesterday morning, said the family were absolutely devastated. He said they have been too upset to decide whether to fly out to the Mediterranean island.

The solicitor said Mr Gately had been in the apartment with his partner, Andrew Cowles, until after midnight on Friday when he travelled to the town of Palma, about an hour's drive away. A close family member spoke to Mr Gately at 12.30 a.m. Spanish time on Saturday (11.30 p.m. GMT) as he was getting ready to leave, the lawyer said. It is understood Mr Gately spent several hours socialising and was back in the apartment before 6 a.m. Spanish time.

"We are not saying he was not drinking but eight hours is not something we accept," Mr Kean said. "He was a very sensible man. He enjoyed himself, he loved life. I was with him many a night and, if anything, late into nights he would look as though he had just arrived."

Police said Mr Gately had been partying with friends a few hours before he was found dead in his apartment. They were hoping the results of a post-mortem would shed light on exactly how he died.