Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, 33, died on Saturday while on holiday in Majorca off the coast of Spain, the Irish band said on its website.

"Stephen tragically died yesterday whilst on holiday with his partner Andrew in Majorca. The rest of the boyz will be flying out today," the site said on Sunday.

In 1999, Gately became one of the first pop stars to come out, announcing that he was gay and had a boyfriend, Andy Cowles.

Boyzone had a run of hits in the 1990s and reformed in 2007. They were to release a new album in 2010.

A friend of Gately's was quoted by the British press as saying he had gone out for drinks and died in his sleep.

"It looks like he went out for a few drinks, then got back, fell asleep and never woke up," the friend said.