BOYZONE HAVE paid an emotional tribute to former bandmate Stephen Gately on the 10th anniversary of his sad death.
The Irish vocalist passed away suddenly from a heart defect whilst holidaying with his partner back in 2009.
Writing on Instagram, the remaining members of the band paid their respects to Gately in a heartbreaking series of images from their time together.
The group’s other lead singer Ronan Keating shared 10 pictures of his much-missed friend alongside the caption “miss ya bro x”.
Keith Duffy also shared a a picture of himself and Stephen laughing and happy together on stage.
“Chance made us Colleagues Love and laughter and fun made us best friends,” he wrote.
“I miss you brother 10 years ago today the good lord deemed you to good for this world [sic].”
Duffy added: “He needed an angel in heaven! Today I celebrate and reminisce all the fun and laughter ups and downs.
“I love you Steo and I pray you continue to look over me. see you down the road Stephanie Xxxx All my love Kitty xxx.’
The band released their final album, featuring one of the last known recordings made by Gately, early this year just last year ahead of a final farewell tour.
Discussing their decision to split for good, Ronan Keating said: "After Stephen passed, the band really changed. It wasn't the same band anymore.
“And we thought it was the right thing to come back and carry on. But the chemistry was different between us but what was special was when the four of us were together, we felt like he was in the room, he was on the stage with us.
“We didn't want that to go away so we kept it going. This just felt like a natural end."
The group are about to wrap on their final live shows together and Shane Lynch admits the main reason they went back out to perform was for Stephen.
Shane added on ITV's Loose Women: "When we're together and we're on stage, he's always with us. You can't physically see him but for us, emotionally, it's very alive.
“We're a five piece on stage. And I think that's why we continued to do this tour."
