HAVING been pipped to the post in Pop Idol, Gareth Gates has carved himself a successful career in musical theatre and light entertainment. As he gears up to take to the stage at this year’s South Tyneside Summer Festival, STEVE BURBRIDGE finds out what festival-goers can expect from the reality-show runner-up.

IN an age where the perfect pop star is defined by a polished and professional public persona, the likelihood of an 18-year-old former choir boy, with a stutter, making it big in the music industry and bagging seven top five hits, four of which reached number one, in his first year as a recording artist seems almost inconceivable. Yet, that’s exactly what Gareth Gates did.

With his ‘boy-next-door’ good looks and endearing vulnerability, Gareth captured the hearts of girls and grannies all over the country during the first series of the ITV talent show, Pop Idol, in 2002. Despite coming second to Will Young in the final of the competition, Gareth was soon signed up by Simon Cowell and well on the way to achieving the status of fully-fledged pop pin-up. Seven years later, he accepted the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and established himself as a leading man in musical theatre.

Gareth, who is currently starring as Marius in the 25^th Anniversary World Tour of Les Misérables, will be returning to his pop roots when he performs at Bents Park, South Shields, for the South Tyneside Summer Festival on Sunday.

‘It’s really nice to get out and sing to audiences where I can,’ says Gareth. ‘And totally different from what’s now my day job – theatre.’

The change of direction in his career, and the challenges that accompany it, fill Gareth with enthusiasm.

‘The theatre is something I have always loved,’ he reveals. ‘In fact, I was Joseph at school at the age of eight, so getting to play the part in the West End eighteen years on was brilliant.

‘It’s great to get to perform live every night and I have really enjoyed the acting side, too. I have made a lot of progress since this fantastic tour of Les Misérables started and I am now playing to thousands. It was amazing taking the show to Paris recently – the audiences loved it.’

Gareth is committed to the tour of Les Misérables until September.

‘It finishes at the Barbican on the Southbank in London, where it started 25 years ago,’ he says. ‘I have then signed up for something else right through to June next year and am already planning what to do beyond that. Life’s very busy, but I’m loving it.’

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Gareth has not been seduced by the temptations and trappings of his celebrity status. In fact, he is a young man with a sound social conscience. Since overcoming his speech impediment, using the McGuire Programme, he has qualified as a speech coach and sees himself as a role model for others who are trying to overcome speech difficulties.

‘I’m not ‘cured’ – it’s something I have to work on each day, and if I don’t it shows. But I also teach on the courses when I can, which also improves my speech as well.’

Gareth devotes much time to charity work and has taken part in All Star Family Fortunes and All Star Mr & Mrs, raising a total of £50,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund for bowel cancer, of which he is patron. He has also campaigned to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer and is patron of the HIV/AIDS charity, Body and Soul.

He is also a devoted family man and lives in West London with his wife, Suzanne, and daughter, Missy. His appearance at the South Tyneside Summer Festival will provide an opportunity to catch up with the in-laws.

‘My wife is from Whickham and so, therefore, has lots of family here. I’ve spent quite a bit of time up in these parts and I love being up North.

Gates for the Bents Park concert open at 12.30pm. Entry is free and visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics and refreshments. For more information visit www.southtyneside.info/summerfestival or call (0191) 454 6612.

Interview: Gareth Gates, 5.0 out of 5 based on 7 ratings

Tags: Feature, Gareth Gates, Interview, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Pop Idol, South Tyneside Summer Festival, Steve Burbridge