Boyzone to bring Gately's body home

The singer's funeral will be held in Dublin on Saturday afternoon and the rest of the band - Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch - will accompany his body home on Friday from the Spanish island where he died.

The Irish singer was found dead on the sofa in his apartment in Port Andratx, on the island, last Saturday after a night out with partner Andrew Cowles.

His body was released by Spanish authorities on Tuesday after a post-mortem examination found that the 33-year-old died from natural causes.

The tests showed he had suffered a pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid on the lungs. Further tests are being carried out on the fluid to confirm the result.

The band members visited Gately's parents in inner-city Dublin on Tuesday to pay their respects and confirm his family's final wishes for Stephen.

When they return to Majorca they are only expected to remain on the island briefly and may not even leave Palma airport.

"The Boyz plan to return to Majorca on Friday to bring their brother back home to Dublin," the band said in a statement. "Ronan, Keith, Mikey and 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 Gately family will hold a private family Mass on Friday night, followed by a funeral service at St Lawrence O'Toole Church at midday on Saturday.

A further memorial service is expected to be held in London, where Gately and his partner had a home.