Pepsi Denies ‘Axing’ Gareth Gates

A Pepsi spokesman denied reports in the Daily Mail that the company planned to drop Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates from their ad campaign because his popularity with teenagers had “already started to wane”. The spokesman told BBC News Online, “He has not been axed. Gareth was always on a one-year contract. He has exceeded our expectations and we are delighted with his success. We wish him all the best in the future.” He added that Gareth had always had a one-year contract. Read more.