Boyzone stars honoured by gay campaigners

Stephen Gately

Boyzone have been honoured by gay campaign group Stonewall for the late Stephen Gately's contribution to raising awareness.

The band were named Entertainers of the Year at Stonewall's annual awards event at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington.

Gately died last month of natural causes while on holiday in Majorca as the band prepared to work together again.

His partner Andrew Cowles, with whom he was in a civil partnership, was due to attend the awards.

The judges took account of Gately's "brave decision to come out" at the height of the band's success.

They also noted that the band "made pop history with their video featuring a same-sex couple a year ago".

(Agencies)