Gately's will 'may not exist'

by Daily Gossip Nov 2nd 2009 11:03AM

Stephen Gately at the Pride of Britain awards

It is looking increasingly unlikely that Stephen Gately made a will before his death.

His husband Andrew Cowles has reportedly been desperately searching for the document, believing it to be in the hands of a London-based company of solicitors, though he didn't know which one.

But the Belfast Telegraph reports that the singer's family have decided that there is a "strong possibility" he had not settled his affairs prior to his death in Majorca.

An insider said: "When you consider how high-profile the funeral was, covered by 24-hour rolling news channels, watched by millions across Ireland and the UK, one would think that if a law firm did hold the will and had read reports that Stephen's family are desperately searching for it, they would have come forward by now.

"Realistically someone would have picked up the phone and contacted the family.

"If there is no will, which is looking more and more likely as the days go by, then it makes everything very complicated legally."

Though Gately was reportedly worth a considerable amount of money, his husband has insisted that he doesn't want a penny and that his legacy should go to his family and his favourite charities.

Check out our gallery for the story of Stephen's rise to fame...

Comments (22)

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Nov 2nd 2009 5:05PM

ZOZO commented:

User rating: Neutral

'husband' ?? What can I say !

Nov 3rd 2009 4:30AM

B Lamont commented:

User rating: Thumbs up

I agree with you 100% I know what i would do with them

Nov 3rd 2009 5:55AM

Drayman commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

When will the homosexual/lesbian community stop 'hijacking' the use of words that are specific to a man & wife? A civil pertnership does not confer the use of the term 'husband' so why do they insist on using the word. I am all for understanding and tolerance, but when the gay/lesbian community should realsie that tolerance is required from them as well?

Nov 3rd 2009 2:05AM

anna commented:

User rating: Neutral

I hope the company involved will come forward and put an end to this uncertainty. It does seem rather sad that he made a will at such a young age.

Nov 3rd 2009 3:59AM

Dan commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

What do you mean "make a will at such a young age ?"
I am the same age and I have a will, who knows whats going to happen (touch wood nothing does), but if it did I would want my property and belongings going to the people who were most important to me, what guarantee's that without a will ?
Everyone with a home and money in the bank should have a will, whether they are 18 or 80.
Not saying that what Stephen did is wrong as probably just did not think about dieing, just answering Anna's comment

Nov 3rd 2009 4:20AM

anna commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Fair comment, Dan. Not everyone, though, is able to make a will no matter what their age. My sister died at the age of 25 & it is such a shame that Stephen and many others died while their life was ahead of them.

Nov 3rd 2009 6:20AM

Pete commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

Why should someone be unable to make a will? Most banks will give you a form for a simple will. If you don't make one, even if you have only a thousand or so, then most of you cash will go to solicitors and the government.

Nov 3rd 2009 4:54AM

Eleanor commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

I am a staunch supporter of gay rights, but a man's civil partner is NOT his husband! The word 'husband' describes a man with a wife. Marriage has always excluded gay men and lesbians, so why would they want to adopt the same terminology? I wish the media would stop calling civil partners 'husbands.' What next? Lesbian civil partners being called 'wives?'

Nov 3rd 2009 5:10AM

Georgina commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

I agree

Nov 3rd 2009 5:40AM

johanna commented:

User rating: Two thumbs down

how stupid is your commet, gay men and women can get married and have the same rights these days as straight men and women therfore can be know as husband or wife, you say you are a supporter of gay rights well i hope no-one else who is so called gay supporters have your views, i have been married for 3 years to my lesbian partner as you call them and i am very proud to call her my wife!!!!!!!!

Nov 4th 2009 2:40PM

frank commented:

User rating: Neutral

I understand, Andrew is the late Steven Gately's "husband" but I think "partner" would be a better term to use since we, the gay fraternity are still not fully accepted in society. The hetero crowd continue to poke fun at us or worse... so whats their big problem with one person loving another, just happens to be of the same gender.We all bleed and we all have the same colour of blood.

Nov 3rd 2009 5:44AM

Eleanor commented:

User rating: Two thumbs up

So when you 'got married,' did the registrar say, 'I now pronounce you woman and wife?'

Nov 3rd 2009 9:40AM

johanna commented:

User rating: Neutral

yes they it was a registry office and they did say you take her to be your lawful wife and on said certificate it states wife so you clearly dont know about gay issues etc if someone wants to call their partner husban or wige thats up to them, i have straight friends who are married and refer to their husbands as their partners!!!

Nov 3rd 2009 9:28AM

hanna commented:

User rating: Neutral

grr whats the big deal with gay and lesbian couples who have had civil partnerships call each other wife or husband, ive got a few gay and lesbian friends who call there partners wife or husband whats peoples problems there married therefore they have a wife or a husband!!

Nov 4th 2009 7:09AM

Alex commented:

User rating: Two thumbs down

REDICULOUS!! I have been with my husband for 12 years! I know str8 couples that have been married, had kids and split in less than 2 years... So tell me... who has the most rights to call husband or wife in this situation??... he IS stevens husband.. and if you dont like gay people calling each other husband and wife... that really is your problem. The term marriage was made up by PEOPLE... so were the word husband and wife... infact the whole institution of marriage was made up by poeple... now that includes gay people... so get over it... get a life and let each person be as they wish. The only homaphobic people I have ever come across in my life.. are the one's who are trying to hide who they are... I mean why would you have such strong opinions if you really are Str8??... RIP steven.. and best wishes to his husband!

Nov 3rd 2009 7:17AM

ZOZO commented:

User rating: Neutral

So Stephen was a 'wife' ?? try explaining that to my children !!

Nov 3rd 2009 9:10AM

Mike commented:

User rating: Neutral

I would hope that you explain to your children that in the diverse world we live in there are lots of ways people love each other and that bigotry and ignorance only serve to make people feel unwelcome in society for no reason.
I had a friend who ended his life because of the beligerent way his parents enforced the idea that being gay is unnatural. I would hope you care for your children whatever titles they may associate with.

40 years since stonewall and people still wish to maintain such a stance of ignorance, how ridiculous.

Nov 3rd 2009 12:01PM

anna commented:

User rating: Neutral

At the end of the day, Stephen and Andrew made one another happy so what does it matter who was called what? The other guys in Boyzone accepted Stephen's sexuality without a problem.

Nov 3rd 2009 12:06PM

anna commented:

User rating: Neutral

At the end of the day, Stephen and Andrew were HAPPY together so does it really matter who called who what? The other members of Boyzone accepted that Stephen was gay and it didn't seem to harm their career. Let Andrew - whatever Stephen called him - grieve properly for the love he lost.