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.

Gareth Gates - Live Shows Available Now

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.

In 2008 Gareth donned the sequins and lycra every Sunday night to take part in the hit ITV1 TV show Dancing on Ice, in front of millions of TV viewers, coming fourth in the competition. 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 Technicolor 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 at the Wimbledon theatre, alongside Alistair McGowan and Joanna Paige.

In 2009 Gareth auditioned and impressed Sir Cameron MackIntosh, which lead to the role of Marius, in the 25th anniversary tour of Les Miserables. This mammoth 10-month tour played to sell out audiences as far a field as Manchester, Norwich, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Paris, Bristol, Salford and Southampton. Ending at the Barbican in London with 22 special performances at the show's original home. (14 September - 2nd October 2010). This brand new production featured new direction, staging and arrangement - and Gareth wowed audiences up and down the country. A new cast recording was also made. Following on from this successful stint Cameron Mackintosh asked Gareth to resume the role in the West End, which finished in June 2011.

Taking a short break from musical Theatre Gareth spent the summer playing to thousands of people up and down the country, including the Dartford Festival, Gay Pride parties in Manchester and Darlington and Jersey.

Gareth Gates 'Stop My Stutter' is a documentary made for BBC3 by top production company IWC. In this TV programme Gareth taught young people with a stutter the McGuire Technique, in a bid to change their lives. Gareth, now a qualified teacher, spent 4 days with these students in what was a life changing experience for them. This was transmitted on BBC3 on Monday, Feb 27th 2012 at 9pm to huge critcial acclaim.

Gareth is available to book for the following engagements -

• DJ set (60 Minutes)
• PA Set (5 songs)
• Acoustic Set (60 minutes)
• Live band show (60 minutes)