Star Studed Tribute To Stephen Gately

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London, Nov.30, (PRINTWORDS NEWS) It turned out to be a night when the stars of the glittering world of entertainment and glitz descended upon London’s West End in full force, in order to pay a handsome tribute to the late Boyzone singer, Stephen Gately. Famous and renowned personalities of the stage and the screen thronged in hordes to the venue of the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, in order to pay their last respect to the late talented Irish singer of the immensely popular boy-band. Alongside the celebs were fans, who had lined up in the pouring rain, to be a part of the tribute concert of the late Gately.

Most of the former Boyzone members including Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch were seen appearing at the venue last night, to be a part of the musical extravaganza that was scheduled in memory of their late fellow band mate. Also spotted at the venue was Gately’s legal partner Andrew Cowles, besides the late singer’s family and close friends.

The list of high profile celebs who were spotted walking down the red carpet in front of the venue included the likes of Duncan James and Lee Ryan [from the boy-band Blue], former Olympic champion ice skaters Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill, pop singer Chesney Hawkes, actor Leslie Philiips, “Strictly Come Dancing” judge Bruno Tonioli and former First Lady Cherie Blair, besides others. The heartbroken members of the Irish boy-band chose not to speak to the waiting media [outside the venue] and directly went inside upon arrival.

According to reports, the cast of the West End [the stage show in which Gately starred] was scheduled to take to the stage and hold a performance in homage to the late star. Sir Ian McKellen reportedly read out poetry during the event and the entire concert was compered by Christopher Biggins [of "I'm A Celebrity" fame]. Others who performed at the event have been stated to be- singers Liz McClarnon and Beverley Knight. Chesney Hawkes doled out his hit “The One and Only” for the gathered audience and also sang a song that he had co-written with Stephen Gately. Bobby Davro performed Frank Sinatra hits as well as a sing-along of the Beatles classic “Hey Jude“, following which, the dancers took to the stage and showcased a performance on Riverdance. The show also saw various stars, including Graham Norton, come up on stage and say a few words in the memory of the late singer. It is being made out from the reports of various sources that the tribute event was organized by the late Boyzone singer’s former band-mates and his partner Andrew Cowles.

During an intensely emotional and heart wrenching speech that was delivered by the late Gately’s partner Cowles, the latter stated that he has certainly lost his “soul mate”, with the death of Gately. The moment turned so overwhelmingly emotional that pop star Beverley Knight had to console him on stage. According to a witness account, Cowles said that, “..he hadn’t realised he lost his soul mate until he [Stephen] was gone.” Cowles also reportedly stated that, “..Stephen was his baby, a man-boy who lit up the room whenever he was there.”