Gareth Gates

Born in Bradford in July 1984 Gareth Gates always knew he wanted to be a performer. It’s well known as a young boy he was head chorister for Bradford Cathedral Choir, even performing solo for the Queen when she visited in 1997. What’s less well known is that he has a natural gift for music and as well as being a faultless vocalist he is an accomplished musician, playing piano and guitar to a high standard.

In 2002 Gareth was famously runner up to Will Young in the UK’s first Pop Idol. Instead of disappearing into ‘Pop Oblivion’ he carved out a very successful career for himself, having hits and travelling worldwide.

In the UK alone Gareth sold 3.5 million records, released 3 albums and had 4 UK number 1 singles. He won record of the year in 2002 and with that has the second best selling single of the ‘noughties’ with Unchained Melody. Gareth was only beaten for best selling single of the decade by his fellow competitor; that years winner Will Young with the song Evergreen. Outside of the UK Gareth was awarded Best International Male in 2003/4 from MTV Asia, MTV China and MTV Taiwan.

During this time it is well documented that Gareth continued to struggle with his speech – something that had been a challenge for his for many years and stuck in people’s minds with the, now infamous, Pop Idol audition. He decided to take positive action and enrolled on the McGuire Programme. This, it’s fair to say changed his life both personally and professionally. From being unable to partake in a pre-recorded interview without agonising discomfort he appeared on the Jonathan Ross show in 2007. It was here he showed the charming and amusing side, that before the speech therapy programme wouldn’t have been possible. Gareth has since trained and is a qualified course instructor – but still has to work on his speech on a daily basis. www.mcguireprogramme.com

In 2008 Gareth donned the sequins and lycra every Sunday night to take part in the hit ITV1 TV show Dancing on Ice, eventually coming fourth. Not bad for someone who couldn’t even stand up on the ice at the beginning!

Post Dancing on Ice, Gareth decided to change musical direction and accepted the lead role in ‘Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’. It was a role he first played at the tender age of 8 in school and proved to be an ideal start to his theatrical career. During this time Gareth also tackled his first pantomime as Prince Charming, in Cinderella – a role he agreed to due to the outstanding cast which included Alistair McGowan and Joanna Paige.

In 2009 Gareth auditioned and impressed Sir Cameron MackIntosh and accepted the role of Marius, in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables. This mammoth 10 month tour has played to sell out audiences as far a field as Manchester, Norwich, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Paris, Bristol, Salford and Southampton. It will end at the Barbican in London with 22 special performances at the show’s original home. (14 September – 2nd October). This brand new production features new direction, staging and arrangement – and Gareth has wowed audiences up and down the country. There is also a new cast recording available shortly, on which he features – which you can also buy at the Barbican.

The rest of 2010 and 2011 were exciting times for Gareth with offers flooding in – and just not enough time to do them all!