Recently in Celebrity Deaths Category

Michael Jackson was at his "fighting weight" when he died.

Kenny Ortega - the Hollywood choreographer who was working with the star on his 'This Is It' London comeback shows when he tragically died in June - was helping the frail singer bulk up.

He said: "He was thin, but he was at what he liked to call his 'fighting weight'. He didn't like to eat, but we were always watching him and making sure he had plenty of protein drinks and fluids.

Stephen Gately's Boyzone bandmates are to spend the night with his body.

The four band members - Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham - have vowed to sleep in the church where the singer's body lies the night before his funeral because he "wouldn't want to be alone".

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."

Stephen Gately had an undetected heart condition which killed him, his family believes.

A post mortem examination carried out on the 33-year-old Boyzone star - who died at his holiday home in Palma, Majorca on Saturday (10.10.09) - ruled he had died from a pulmonary oedema, a build up of fluid on the lungs, which is often connected to heart problems.

The singer's mother Margaret Gately told family friend, lawyer Gerald Kean: "As soon as I head he had died I knew it was a heart problem. It has lifted a huge burden off our family's shoulders."

A post-mortem examination on the Boyzone star's body found the 33-year-old singer's death last Saturday (10.10.09) was due to a pulmonary oedema - an accumulation of fluid on the lungs - a local official revealed outside a court in Palma, Majorca.

The results of in-depth toxicology tests carried out on the singer's body have not yet been finalised, but because there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Stephen's death, his parents and partner Andy Cowles - who Stephen wed in a civil ceremony in March 2006 - can now make arrangements to have his body returned to the UK.

The news broke yesterday that Boyzone star Stephen Gately was found dead in his Spanish apartment on Saturday, and this morning new information is emerging surrounding the sudden and tragic death of the 33-year-old singer and entertainer.

HeatWorld are reporting that Gately had allegedly been out drinking for up to eight hours before his death on the holiday island of Majorca over the weekend. It's now though that Stephen choked to death on his own vomit after a night out clubbing, although a police spokesman has said, "at the moment it is not known how he died. There are no signs of suspicious circumstances."

Tributes have been coming in for the late US actor Patrick Swayze, who yesterday lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.

His co-star in the classic 1980's film DIRTY DANCING, Jennifer Grey said: "Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace. Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart.

"He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified."

Rob Lowe, who also appeared with Swayze in the eighties added: "Patrick lived a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime. He was an expert dancer, he wrote hit songs, he starred in hit movies, he was an amazing horseman.

"But the thing I will remember him most for was his amazing love affair with his wife Lisa."

Demi Moore, who starred with him in the award winning GHOST in 1990 said: "Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives."

She added: "I love and will miss you Patrick."

Ditto.

Patrick Swayze, the man who immortalised Johnny Castle (DIRTY DANCING), Sam Wheat (GHOST) and my favourite, Dalton (ROAD HOUSE), has passed away after a near two year battle with pancreatic cancer. The actor, survived by wife Lisa, was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008. His last role was the lead in an A&E TV series, The Beast, which premiered on January 15, 2009. Due to a prolonged decline in health, Swayze was unable to promote the series, and on June 15, 2009, Entertainment Tonight reported that the show had been canceled.

Swayze appeared in early 1980's flicks THE OUTSIDERS and YOUNGBLOOD, but it was the low-budget 1987 film DIRTY DANCING that made his name. The film, which was originally intended to play for just one weekend on its initial cinema release before going straight-to-video, went on to make well over $300 million since it first debuted. It has spawned a sequel, a musical and is even set to be remade in 2010. After DIRTY DANCING, Swayze went on to make the classic ROAD HOUSE, the Golden Globe nominated GHOST in 1990 opposite Demi Moore and then the actioner POINT BREAK a year later. His film credits continue with the likes of TIGER WARSAW, RED DAWN, 11:14, FATHER HOOD, BLACK DOG and even the classic DONNIE DARKO.


He will be missed, but his films will always live on. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Tributes are pouring in for filmmaker John Hughes, who died of a a heart attack in New York yesterday (August 6). Hughes was responsible for writing the films HOME ALONE, THE BREAKFAST CLUB and FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, among many other 1980's classics.

Matthew Broderick, who played Ferris Bueller said: "I am truly shocked and saddened by the news about my old friend John Hughes.

"He was a wonderful, very talented guy and my heart goes out to his family."

Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin in the HOME ALONE movies added: "The world has lost not only a quintessential filmmaker whose influence will be felt for generations, but a great and decent man."

John Hughes, the creator of the popular comedy films HOME ALONE, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF and SIXTEEN CANDLES, died in New York today (Thursday 6th August) of a heart attack. He was just 59.

His spokesperson said that the screenwriter, producer and director was taking a morning walk in Manhattan where he was visiting family.

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Sources close to the family of the late pop icon Michael Jackson have said that the star may be buried at his former home, Neverland in Santa Barbara, California following his funeral. Jackson closed down the famous ranch in 2006 following allegations of child abuse.

But now, a source who was close to the 50-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: "Michael wanted Neverland to be his final resting place but wasn't sure the authorities would give permission. It would give fans a place to focus on and a place to visit.

"Neverland would become a place of pilgrimage. It would also leave his heirs a legacy which could be worth billions." They added.