Seven years on… Ronan Keating remembers Steo on his anniversary
It's been seven years since former Boyzone member, Stephen Gately, passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition in the home he shared with his husband Andrew Cowles in Spain.
And there's no doubt that the void he left in the band he helped to form in the early 90s is as big today as it was back in 2009.
Taking to Instagram last night, Ronan Keating paid tribute to the friend he described as 'his wingman' at his funeral seven years ago.
Sharing a snap of Stephen, Boyzone's lead singer acknowledged the songer's love of all things Disney, writing: "Hey Steo. "A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart." — Zeus (Disney'sHercules)"
Finishing the post which has clocked up more than 6,000 likes so far, Ronan added: "Miss ya bro."
Paying their own tributes, fans of the Dubliner added their own thoughts with one writing: "And Steo was the biggest hero of them all. A ray of sunshine in our lives. RIP, Steo. 7 years on but never ever forgotten."
"How can I miss someone so much who I didn't even know?? He touched my heart and I will never forget him," added another.
Stephen's funeral was celebrated in the Church of St. Laurence O'Toole on October 17 2009.
