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RADFORD-BORN singer, Gareth Gates found fame as a spiky-haired 16-year-old who, despite a stammer, bravely competed in TV talent show Pop Idol.

Against the odds he finished as runner up to Will Young, and went on to became a fully-fledged pop star with five No 1 singles and a string of sell out tours.

He’s forged a successful second career in musical theatre appearing in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Legally Blonde and Les Miserables. But three years ago, was left devastated when his voice started to fail.

Gareth, 33 lives with Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes, and has an eight-year-old daughter Missy from a previous relationship.