London, Oct 14 - "X Factor" judge Louis Walsh says she was shocked by the sudden death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately and that he "looked healthier than ever" when the two met up last week.

"Stephen was never happier when I met him last Monday. I never saw him in better health or better form. We had a laugh as usual, things were going so well - I still can't believe he's gone," thesun. co. uk quoted Walsh, who had put the band together in the 90s, as saying.

"We're all in shock. Nobody can believe it - Boyzone, me, nobody. The boys are devastated. It's like they have lost their very, very best friend - and me too."

Walsh talked about Gately's upbringing in the inner city district of Dublin.

He added: "His best friend was his sister Michelle - I don't know how she's coping. The boys are like his family now. The four boys were like four daddies for him. He came from Sheriff Street. He was a very working class kid. All he wanted to do was sing and go to the West End.

"And he loved Disney, that was Stephen. Of all the people I've worked with, I don't think anybody thanked me as much as Stephen. He'd always say to me, 'If I wasn't in Boyzone I don't know where I'd be today, thank you'. A great, great, professional kid." (IANS)