Stephen Gately's Boyzone band mates will sit up with his body tonight in the Dublin City church where the singer's funeral will take place tomorrow, it has been reported.
According to The Mirror, a source said: "It proves how close they were. Those lads would do anything for Stephen and they know he would not want to be there on his own."
The four surviving members of Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham, will accompany Gately's body back from the Spanish holiday island of Majorca today.
In a statement the band said: "The Boyz plan to return to Majorca on Friday to bring their brother back home to Dublin.
"Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane would once more like to thank everyone for the great many messages of condolence they have received from all over the world.
"Seeing the love and warmth that so many people have felt for Stephen has been a true comfort for them over the past few days."
They flew to the Port Andratx resort earlier this week after hearing about the 33-year-old's sudden death, but returned to Dublin on Tuesday to pay their respects to his family and confirm their wishes for the funeral.
When they return to Majorca they are only expected to remain on the island briefly and may not even leave Palma airport.
The Gately family will hold a private mass tonight, followed by a funeral service at St Lawrence O'Toole Church at midday tomorrow.
Boyzone has announced they are to sing at Gately's funeral tomorrow and Gerard Kean, the Gately family's solicitor, said: "It will be a very musical affair in tribute to his great talent."
Thousands are expected to line the streets to pay their respects to the singer.
