Music

Disgraced journalist, Jan Moir, has publicly apologised to Stephen Gateley's family and friends - but only for the 'timing' of her column about the death of the Boyzone singer. However she continues to defended the article saying she did not hold "poisonous" homophobic views.

She starts off, "Obviously, a great deal of offence has been taken and I regret any affront caused. This was never my intention."

Moir said she realised that Gately's partner, parents, family and friends were in mourning and apologised to them. "To them, I would like to say sorry if I have caused distress by the insensitive timing of the column, published so close to the funeral."

She now says readers were wrong to suggest that her motive was to insinuate that Gately died "because he was gay".

"Anyone who knows me will vouch that I have never held such poisonous views. If he had been a heterosexual member of a boy band, I would have written exactly the same article."

Read more: Jan Moir 'Sorry' About Gately Article

The man who attacked Leona Lewis had previously auditioned for the X Factor but had been rejected.

Polish born Peter Kowalczyk hit the singer in the face at a London book signing last Wednesday.

He has been charged with assault and sectioned under the Mental Health Act after previously being arrested. Leona has now cancelled UK TV appearances and a promotional tour to Germany.

A spokesperson for Lewis said, “Leona is absolutely gutted that she did not get the signings finished. This guy whacked her one in the face, and she was sitting down and he was standing up, so you couldn't get more cowardly.”

In other X Factor news, Rikki Loney has become the second contestant to be voted off ITV talent show. Rachel Adedeji survived the judges' vote after being left in the bottom two for the second week in a row.

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has commented on the sad death of Stephen Gately. Louis is also the manager of Boyzone and friend of Stephen Gately. Here is his comment in full:

"When I first met Stephen he was a young boy with a dream to be a pop star and performer, over fifteen years later and he fulfilled all those dreams, being part of one of the most successful boy bands, who sold over 20 million albums world wide, and landing the lead role in Joseph, fulfilling his dream of performing on the West End, and of course finding love in partner Andy.

"Stephen was one of life’s positive people with a lovely nature and he was someone who always had a smile on his face. He loved to laugh and joke and was always the life and soul of the party and would give everyone he met his time. He would always thank me for the success he’d gained through Boyzone but on reflection I should be the one to have thanked him as he brought so much into my life, and the career I’ve loved in pop music is largely down to Stephen and the rest of Boyzone.

Read more: Louis Walsh comment on Stephen Gately Death in full

The funeral for Stephen Gately will be held in Dublin on Saturday 17th October. There are also plans for a London memorial to follow.

"He is now lying in a chapel of rest in a small village in the hills of Mallorca while repatriation formalities continue", the Boyzone website says. His body was released to the family following an autopsy by Spanish authorities, which found that he died of a pulmonary oedema – an accumulation of fluid on the lungs. "There [was] no foul play," the family's lawyer has reported.

Louis Walsh has said Stephen "will receive the best send-off" Ireland has ever seen. "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 last few days."

Read more: Stephen Gately Funeral and Memorial Details

Louis Walsh will not appear on the live X Factor final following the death of band member Stephen Gately.

Police are investigating the 33 year old pop star's death. They have commented, " there are no signs of suspicious circumstances".

Gately died at 1.45pm yesterday in his house in Port Andratx, Majorca. The circumstances of Gately's death remained unclear but the News of the World has reported he died after a night out.

A spokeswoman for Walsh said he would not be appearing on tonight's show but also would not be travelling to Spain with the four band members.

The remaining members of the band paid tribute to their "friend and brother" and said they would be flying out to the Spanish island today, according to the band's tour website. Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch commented, "We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever 'Steo'."

Read more: Louis Walsh Pulls Out of X Factor After Stephen Gately Death