All of us at DoTJ Towers were shocked to learn of Stephen Gately’s tragic death. Here is a selection of some of the tributes that have been flooding in. We can only hope that they can show just a glimmer of the brilliant life that we’ve all lost.

“First Jackson, now Gately. It’s been a bad year for music. I hope we can pay a decent tribute on this year’s X-Factor.” – Louis Walsh

“Stephen always believed in Ireland. Maybe now we can all believe in Ireland. You can see it on Google Earth for god’s sake.” – Gerry Adams.

“We always used to joke with him that he was part Leprechaun, we never realised that his Leprechauness would be part of his demise.” – The members of Westlife.

“I remember when I first went into the 2005 Celebrity Big Brother House, I waited as each person entered, hoping that Stephen would be one of them. He wasn’t, but it was still a good year.” – Kenzie.

“There are very few people who get to represent Ireland on a global stage. Me, Gately, Riverdance, Me.” – Bono.

“Goodbye Ireland’s rose, may you ever grow in our hearts. You were the grace that placed itself where lives were torn apart. You called out to our country and you whispered to those in pain. Now you belong to heaven and the stars spell out your name” – Ronan Keating and the other members of Boyzone.

Stephen Gately. 17 March 1976 – 10 October 2009. RIP.