LONDON, (Reuters) – Boyzone singer Stephen Gately,  33, who caused a sensation in the pop world 10 years ago by  announcing he was gay, died while on holiday in Mallorca, Spain,  the Irish pop group’s official website said yesterday.  

“Stephen tragically died whilst on holiday in Mallorca  yesterday,” the announcement said.  

It said Gately was staying on the Spanish holiday resort  island with his partner, Andrew Cowles, and that other members  of the band would fly there.  

The News of the World newspaper reported on its website that  Gately had died after having a few drinks.  

“It looks like he went out for a few drinks, then got back,  fell asleep and never woke up,” the newspaper quoted an unnamed  friend of the singer as saying.  

The five-member band, put together by pop impresario Louis  Walsh, who also assembled Girls Aloud and Westlife, was most  popular in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Britain.