Devastated Boyzone today accompanied Stephen Gately on his final journey home.

Ronan, Keith, Shane and Mikey flew to Majorca in a private jet this morning to bring their "brother" and bandmate back to Dublin.

Stephen's sister Michelle and his distraught partner Andrew Cowles were also accompanying the remains of the tragic singer.

The band left Dublin airport at 8am en route to Majorca where they collected Stephen's body ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

Andrew Cowles was due to have an emotional reunion with Stephen's grieving parents Margaret and Martin this evening.

The bereaved parents are said to be gaining strength from the Boyzone lads who have rallied around to support them.

The Gately family say that the Boyz have paid the biggest tribute possible to Stephen by their actions since news of his death emerged last weekend.

“Andrew and the family are pleased that that the boys have been so involved.

“It has made everything a little bit easier for them,” said family spokesperson Gerald Kean today.

They have been “an unbelievable support,” he said, adding that they were “incredible guys”.

The four flew out from Dublin Airport around 8am today to meet Stephen's grieving partner Andrew Cowles.

The group were due to arrive in Palma at noon but won't leave the airport as Stephen's body was brought there last night.

After a stopover of about one hour, during which they will meet Andrew, they will return to Dublin for 2.15pm.

Stephen's remains will then be brought to St Laurence O'Toole's Church in the inner city, where his grieving family are expected to be waiting.

A representative of the Gately family also travelled with the group, while other stayed behind in Sheriff Street to plan tomorrow's funeral.

The Herald understands that final arrangements for the service were still being made, but the family would like for it to be a simple ceremony, even though the world's media will covering the event.

In a reflection of Stephen's life it will be a very musical affair with the hundreds of mourners expected.

It is not yet known whether stars such as Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Take That will be present.

Louis Walsh has confirmed that Boyzone will perform a tribute song, while Tony Kenny will sing My Son, a favourite of Stephen's mother Margaret.

Louis said: “They were like his four fathers and they are going to look after him and they're going to stay with him and we're going to give him the best sendoff ever on Saturday.”

The pop guru who gave Stephen his big break in the music industry will miss two episodes of the X Factor this weekend.

He said: “I don't want to think he's actually gone. I have avoided thinking about it. I feel I can hardly face the funeral.

“I still think he's going to walk in smiling and saying it's all a mistake.”

Gardai and the city council have already devised a management plan for the thousands of fans who are expected to line the streets.

However, it is not clear what distance they will be kept from the church.

Locals have spent recent days cleaning the area and council officials will be on duty from 6am tomorrow to remove graffiti.

- Kevin Doyle