Eight-hour booze binge killed Boyzone's Stephen Gately

London (ANI): Late singer Stephen Gately from the band Boyzone died because of an eight-hour drinking binge, it has emerged. The pop star had gone on a night out with civil partner Andy Cowles to the gay club 'Black Cat' at Majorca's capital Palma.

The pair was reportedly seen gulping down potent cocktails and white wine in the bar. Later, they met 25-year-old Bulgarian Giorgi Duchev, with whom they returned to their 1-million-pound apartment to continue drinking, reports The Sun. A partygoer, who shared a drink with them, said: "Stephen was totally trashed."

Andy had apparently gone off to sleep at around 5.30am, with Stephen lying asleep on a sofa, before finding him dead at mid-day. Stephen was positioned in a strange "prayer position" - squatting on the floor with his head face down on a pillow on the sofa. Police have suggested he choked on his vomit.

Meanwhile, cops are presently trying to trace Duchev. A source said: "We do not believe there is foul play but his testimony is vital."