Friend 'breaks silence on Gately death'

Rex Features

The Bulgarian man who claims to have discovered the body of popstar Stephen Gately has reportedly broken his silence on the incident.

Georgi Petrov Dochev is alleged to have discovered the Boyzone singer lying on a sofa at his Majorcan apartment on Saturday afternoon.

It has been speculated that Dochev had spent the night at the flat which Gately shared with his partner Andy Cowles.

"I found Stephen dead and I woke his husband. He was white and cold when I found him," he is quoted as telling The Daily Telegraph.

Dochev, 25, went on to say that he had "barely slept" since the tragedy and confirmed that he had spoken to police.

However, he declined to reveal any further details in order to avoid upsetting Cowles, adding: "You will have to ask the husband what has happened. I don't want to say anything more. I am still nervous and really upset."

Gately's family recently denied tabloid reports that the star had embarked on an eight-hour drinking binge before his death.

A lawyer for the singer previously claimed that his death was a "tragic accident" and suggested there was "no indication" that a third man was present.