An autopsy on Boyzone singer Stephen Gately revealed that he died due to excess fluid in his lungs, a court spokeswoman on the Spanish island of Majorca said on Tuesday.

"He died a natural death of acute pulmonary edema" which had nothing to do with any consumption of alcohol or drugs, said the spokeswoman in the Majorcan capital of Palma.

A pulmonary edema can be due to either the failure of the heart to remove fluid from the lungs or direct damage to the lung tissue.

Gately (33) was found dead on Saturday in his apartment in the Majorcan town of Port Andratx while on holiday on the Mediterranean island. News reports said he had been out late the night before.

Cowley's partner Andrew Cowles, whom he married in a civil union in 2006, signed papers Tuesday morning to allow the body to be transferred out of Spain from a mortuary in the Majorcan town of Calvia, the spokeswoman said.

Gately joined the Irish pop band Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin for an audition.

The band went on to enjoy huge success with six number one singles in Britain, but split up in 2000.

They reunited seven years later, but their recent 19-date Better tour failed to fill stadiums, despite offers of free tickets.

Gately also starred in West End musicals in London, including 'Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.

He sent ripples through the pop music world 10 years ago when he announced that he was gay.