Thousands of devoted fans lined the streets of Dublin, Ireland, to bid a final farewell to Boyzone star Stephen Gately at his funeral today.

Around 3,000 mourners were estimated to have gathered to pay tribute to Gately, who was found dead last weekend at his holiday home in Majorca, Spain.

His remaining bandmates Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy joined the 33-year-old's family and friends including Boyzone founder and X Factor judge Louis Walsh at St Laurence O’Toole Church.

The Boyzone stars had spent the night in the church holding a wake for the West End star they called their brother.

Gately's parents Margaret and Martin, brothers Mark, Alan and Tony and sister Michelle and his partner Andrew Cowles supported each other during a short private prayer vigil at the chapel last night.

As mourners filed into the chapel before midday today Walsh, who founded the band in the mid-90s, paid his own personal tribute to Gately.

“It’s a difficult day but we have to celebrate his life,” he said.

“It’s an incredible atmosphere in the church, all his best friends are there, his family are there, it’s what he would have wanted. He was just a great person.”

Of the funeral's location, Walsh added: “I think this is the best place in the world for him today, this is where he grew up.”

It was also the church Gately was baptised.

Members of Westlife, also managed by Walsh, Sir Elton John’s partner David Furnish, TV presenter Vanessa Feltz and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern attended the service, relayed on loudspeakers to the crowds outside.

During the service, Boyzone sang Westlife track In This Life as mourners received communion.

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