Stephen Gately's partner escapes to London

Oct 21, 2009, 9:35 GMT

Stephen Gately's civil partner has fled to London because he can't bear to live in the homes they shared in Ireland or Spain.

Grief-stricken Andrew Cowles flew to London with the late Boyzone singer's ashes soon after his Dublin funeral on Saturday (17.10.09).

Since then, he has been staying in the couple's north London apartment as he tries to decide whether to sell their homes in Dublin and the Spanish party island of Majorca, where Stephen was found dead earlier this month.

Fighting back tears, Andrew said: "It's not easy being back here, but it's better than being stuck in Majorca or Ireland."

Meanwhile, Stephen's last interview - conducted two weeks before his death - has revealed he ended a 10-year feud with his mother in the final weeks of his life.

Relations between the singer and his mother had been strained since 1999, when she gave an interview to a newspaper the same day he came out as gay.

Stephen told reveal magazine: "There were tears and I told her I loved her very much and I'd always be there for her. I told her I was wrong and I should never have let it get that far."

He also spoke about his depression after Boyzone split, his relationship with Andrew and his hopes that they would soon start a family together.

Police have ruled Stephen died of acute pulmonary oedema, a rapid build-up of fluid in the lungs.