Stephen Gately, a singer of Irish boy band Boyzone, who made headlines when his homosexuality was published a decade ago, has died during a holiday in Spain, the group says on its website. He was 33 years.

Gately "died tragically" Saturday during a visit to the island of Mallorca, the band said in a brief statement. The cause of death was not immediately clear.

Gerald Kean, a friend of the family in Ireland Gately said Sunday that he died of natural causes, without identifying them.

"There is no foul play involved, and not suicide. It's just a tragic accident, is what they said and we are glad that it is correct information," said Kean. "There is nothing wrong. It is not drugs, do not. It is suicide. It is not murder. There is a struggle. It is what they said."

Kean said the autopsy is expected to take place on Tuesday.

Gately and his partner Andrew Cowl, who were married in a civil union in 2006, were together in Mallorca, the band's statement said.

"Right now we do not have many details," the statement said. Group members are expected to arrive in the afternoon in Palma de Mallorca International Airport Sunday.

The Spanish police said they were called to a house near Port d'Andratx, in the western end of the island Saturday afternoon. The cause of death was unknown, and there were no signs of violence, a police spokesman said on condition of anonymity under police rules. He said it was likely that an autopsy.