Spotlight shines on Gareth Gates

The singer is returning to the stage at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal with his new show, celebrating the music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Interview by Barbara Young.

It’s been more than 20 years since Gareth Gates stepped into the spotlight at the age of 17 in front of music mogul Simon Cowell, before going on to reach the finals of TV talent show Pop Idol in 2002.

Now at the age of 40, the former Bradford Cathedral head choir boy (who also captivated audiences at Lincoln Cathedral as a child) is stepping back on stage at the New Theatre Royal with a new show.

Gareth Gates Sings Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, which he is also producing, will see Gareth’s many fans cheering him on and joining in singing along to the New Jersey group’s many iconic hits. His current tour reaches Lincoln for a one-night-only performance on Wednesday 12th March.

Far from being dismissed as a one-hit wonder from a TV talent show, Gareth’s music and stage career has remained on a steady trajectory since those heady days in the early 2000s. Signed by Cowell to the BMG label, his first single, a cover of ‘Unchained Melody’, entered the UK Singles Chart at number one and went double-platinum. It was swiftly followed by a second number-one single, ‘Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)’. His third single, a double A-side ‘Suspicious Minds’/‘The Long and Winding Road’, a duet with fellow Pop Idol contestant Will Young, also reached number one.

“Pop Idol was the first TV show of its kind before X Factor, so we went in blind not knowing what it was to become,” says Gareth.

“That was both quite nerve-wracking but also very exciting. I was a young boy who had no idea what to expect, and I became a pop star from it!

“I sold lots of records, had many number ones, and was able to tour the world. It was amazing for me, because people could have an insight into my story, especially my speech, and I owe a lot to Pop Idol for that.

“It was essentially my apprenticeship going into the industry and I had to learn very quickly. From being able to walk down the street and nobody knowing you one day, to literally the next when everyone has watched the first live show. But it’s been great moving forward, I’ve toured constantly for the past 23 years, I’ve invested well in the world of business and it’s all down to that ‘apprenticeship’.”

Overcoming challenges
Born to Paul and Wendy Gates in Bradford, Gareth joined Bradford Cathedral choir at the age of nine and sang solo for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited in 1997, later gaining a reserve place at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Having shown remarkable physical and mental toughness, which has endeared him to successive new generations of fans over the years, Gareth has candidly discussed his experiences with severe bullying due to his stammer, adding depth to his journey as a performer.

He explains: “I’ve always been able to sing without stammering. When I’m on stage, whether it’s in a concert or a West End production, I become a different persona. It’s never an issue.

“I’d always had trouble communicating and expressing myself as a child, and so at the age of eight I learned I could sing! This completely changed my life, finally I could get words out of my mouth, and could express myself, and this is why I fell in love with music. For me performing isn’t about just getting up on stage and singing a few songs, it was and is my only form of expression.

“I think work ethic is everything, I had to train hard as a child, hours and hours singing in choirs and bands. I learnt to play the piano from a very early age and even achieved a Grade A at 15. The harder you work, the more chance you have at succeeding in this industry.

“I do think I have a lot of resilience, and I think that comes from being badly bullied as a boy at school. It was horrible and I was often beaten because of my stammer, but that’s made me a better and stronger person.

“I talk about my speech and bullying all the time to try and inspire people to not let it hold them back. You can be whatever you want to be, you just have to face your fears and push through.”

Musical theatre
Gareth’s career in musical theatre began with his role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a part he first played as a child in school. “Auditioning for Andrew Lloyd Webber and being offered the lead role was a dream come true,” he recalls.

Gareth went on to perform in Les Misérables, Legally Blonde, Footloose, and The SpongeBob Musical, solidifying his reputation as a versatile stage actor.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the years. I’ve grown in confidence, at first I couldn’t handle interviews because of my speech, but now I force myself to do them, because it’s a part of my job. But I wouldn’t have this confidence without going through the experiences I’ve been through.

“I constantly battle with my speech; stammering is just a part of me, but it’s how I apply myself and gain control of it as best I can.

“There are days that are bad if I’m tired or if I have a lot on and I’m stressed, but I’m a part of a speech therapy programme called ‘The McGuire Programme’, so if I do the correct exercises and tackle the fears that come with having a stammer, that fear goes down considerably.”

Family, friends and fans
Having not only survived but also continued to thrive in the heady world of showbiz, Gareth, who is also a father to teenage daughter Missy, from his marriage to former wife Suzanne Mole, says much is due to support from those who have remained loyal to him.

“My source of strength has always been my family, we’ve always stayed very close and I think that it’s important in this industry to keep your family close, as well as the friends you’ve always had around you to keep you grounded.”

He also recognises the support from his partner, actress Allana Taylor, who has been by his side since 2023.

“We met doing panto two years ago; she’s great and such a fantastic performer. Allana is currently touring the UK in Hairspray the Musical. I think she’s destined for big, big things and with us both being performers, we’re a big support for each other.

He has also stayed in touch with Will Young: “Will and I keep in touch all the time, we went through Pop Idol together, and we relied on each other quite a bit back in the day. He’ll always be a good friend.”

Gareth says he feels blessed to have a strong fanbase: “I have some fans that have been with me since the very start and I’m fortunate to have such loyalty, they support me wherever I go and whatever show I’m doing, they’re always there ready on the front row!”

His parents have always been a big influence musically too. Gareth’s new show tour is packed with those big Frankie Valli hit songs such as ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘Walk Like A Man’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Sherry’ and ‘Grease’ to name a few.

“As a child my parents loved listening to Frankie Valli. I grew up with the music and ever since I’ve been touring for the past 23 years, I always try and put a Frankie Valli song into my set. Everyone knows and loves them and to be able to now produce a show filled with those incredible songs is a real thrill.”

In between performing, Gareth has also been writing a musical called Speechless (“about a guy who can’t speak, which I massively identify with”). However, for now he says he can’t wait to bring his new touring show, which pays tribute to those iconic four boys from Jersey with their unmistakable high-pitched vocals, to Lincoln.

“Every generation has heard a Frankie Valli song, and they go down so well, and the show always gets people singing along. We’ve got a great cast of West End performers, as well as a very talented live band.

“We have also locked in a West End theatre for 2026, so watch this space – but for now, I’m doing my best to make time and enjoy life with my family and friends whenever I can!”

For information on tickets to Gareth Gates Sings Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at the New Theatre Royal Lincoln, visit www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk

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