New Bimbo Makes A Play For Gareth Gates

After Gareth Gates’ embarrassing fling with Jordan, porn presenter Abi Titmuss made a play for the ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up after he performed at the Public Players charity bash at top London restaurant Taman Gang. “Abi was flirting for Britain but Gareth wasn’t interested - so she just returned to her pals,” an insider told the Sunday Mirror.

Gareth Gates Facing Axe From BMG & Simon Cowell

March 19, 2004 - The Mirror reports Gareth’s career is in trouble, as he faces the axe from both BMG and his co-manager Simon Cowell. “Gareth has reached the end of a two album deal with his label and they are deciding whether they want to exercise the option on further albums,” an industry source explained. “In other words, they are deciding whether they want to keep him or drop him altogether. They want to see what songs he comes up with. If they are considered good enough for a further album his contract will be renewed and he will stay with the label. But if the songs aren’t up to scratch, then it will all be over. And he’s in a similar position with Cowell.”

Gareth Gates In Career Crisis

March 7, 2004 - The Sun reports Gareth is rethinking his image after disappointing turnouts for his tour dates last week, where none of the six venues produced a sellout crowd. “He knows this is a terrible sign,” a pal of Gareth’s revealed. “He is worried he’s on the way out.”

Gareth Gates Blotto

March 2, 2004 - The Sun reports Gareth went on a four-hour champagne bender following his Birmingham gig on Sunday and took to the piano to massacre Take That classics. The boozed up singer was caught on camera, check out the pictures here.

Gareth Gates Beats His Stammer

February 29, 2004 - The Glasgow Daily Record reports Gareth has been working on his stuttering issue for the past year as the singer prepared to showcase his progress to fans on his UK tour, which kicked off Saturday in Glasgow. 27-year-old Michael Hay from Thornliebank, Glasgow, was brought in to be Gareth’s personal speech coach for the last three months, helping him overcome his stammer. “The way the course evolves is that once you can, you go on to help others,” Hay explained. “One of the goals Gareth has is that he wants to be a coach and a coach instructor on the program one day. I know for a fact he is going to be very good at it. The last goal we had is going to be done at the SECC tonight. We are really excited and it’s the reward for a lot of hard work.”

Gareth Gates Has Soap Opera Back-Up Plans

February 26, 2004 - Ann Montini of Sky News hears that Gareth is hoping to land a stint in the hit teen soap ‘Hollyoaks’. The ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up told a source: “If my singing career goes then I would love to try acting.”

March 21, 2004 Jeff C Gossip No Comments

Mariah, Gareth And Abs Winners Of Naomi Awards 2004

On the eve of the ever-more-corporate Brits, Music Choice has announced the second annual Naomi Awards 2004, and named Atomic Kitten, former Five star Abs Breen, Mariah Carey, Gareth Gates and Kym Marsh as award winners for their (lack of) contribution to the British Music Industry. Mariah has been chosen as the Worst International Female, Abs as the Worst British Male and Atomic Kitten is the Worst British Group. Check out the list of winners including Gareth Gates and Cheeky Girls at MusicChoice.co.uk.

Gareth Gates ‘Embarrassed’ By Jordan Fling

February 5, 2004 - Gareth has opened up about his brief fling with mega-boobed pin-up Jordan. He tells Top of the Pops magazine: “I was embarrassed. I didn’t want my mum and dad, my family and my fans to find out in that way.” As for how he feels about her now, Gareth admits, “Obviously, we’re not the best of friends. That’s it really.”

February 16, 2004 Jeff C Awards 5 Comments

Gareth Gates Defends His Size

The Sun reports ‘Pop Idol’ Gareth Gates is having to fend off talk about the size of his manhood after busty model Jordan spilled the beans on their romance, saying he’s a bit on the small side and she didn’t think much of his sexual technique either. “I’ve not really seen many men’s bits so I don’t know what to compare it against,” Gates said. “But I’m very happy.”

Corn Rows For Gareth Gates?

January 18, 2004 - Neil Sean of Sky News hears Gareth plans to do emulate soccer star David Beckham and have corn rows weaved into his scalp. “I like that look and I think it will look cool on me, don’t you think,” the singer asked.

Gareth Gates’ Opera Backup

December 29, 2003 - Sky News reports Gareth says that if his pop career fails, he would like to return to his first love - opera. He revealed: “I was training to become an opera singer so it’s always something that I could go back to if I needed.”

Gareth Gates Has Bought The Farm

December 28, 2003 - The People reports Gareth has purchased a 19th century farm near Keighley, West Yorks for $1 million. The singer already owns a penthouse in London’s Notting Hill. A pal said: “Gareth loves life in London but his dream was always to buy a big place in the country away from the hustle and bustle.”

January 29, 2004 Jeff C Gossip No Comments

Darkness Frontman Blasts ‘Pop Idol’ Singers

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins tells The Sunday Mirror he’s delighted that the Pop Idol 12, who were the odds on choice to top the Christmas singles chart battle with their cover of the John Lennon classic ‘Merry Christmas (War Is Over)’, now doesn’t stand a chance. “The Pop Idol lot are the most talentless and characterless people in the country. The novelty is clearly starting to wear off,” Justin said. “With Pop Idol you have all these little sh**s in the chart, but the public doesn’t like being told what to listen to. This might sound harsh, but fu** Will Young and Gareth Gates. Where are the Kate Bush and Princes of today? Record companies won’t touch them because they are scared of people like that.”

The full story at sundaymirror.co.uk has since been removed.

Will Young Mistaken For Chauffeur

December 20, 2003 - The Mirror reports Heart 106.2 DJ Harriet Scott was spotted by a source flagging down a silver Mercedes at the West London building, believing there was a chauffeur inside coming to pick her up. Instead, behind the blacked out windows, was Will Young. “It was hilarious,” the insider said. “Harriet thought it was her car and once she explained to Will why she did it he was hysterical.”

The Spirit Of Good Will

December 13, 2003 - Dominic Mohan of The Sun writes, “Will Young is seen as a manufactured pop puppet, his strings seemingly controlled by perma-tanned Svengali Simon Fuller, a man more orange than Belfast in marching season. But this week, nigh on two years after his Pop Idol victory, the Young man is nestling at the top of the album and singles charts and, er, wait for it, this isn’t easy for me you know, but I, um, think I owe him, yes, I owe him an apology. A fierce critic of processed musical spam I may be, but in Will I can now recognize a true talent.”

The entire story at thesun.co.uk has since been removed.

Gorgeous Girls Leave Gareth Gates Terrified

December 7, 2003 - The Sunday Mirror reports that after recently losing his virginity to Jordan, ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up Gareth Gates went all coy at a UB40 gig at Wembley. A spy revealed, “Four gorgeous girls were telling him to get up and dance. He begged his record person to get him a seat elsewhere. He looked terrified.”

Will Young Talks About ‘Friday’s Child’

December 6, 2003 - Will caught up with Capital FM to talk about shedding his pop image to be more soulful on his new album ‘Friday’s Child’. Asked about the title, the Pop Idol champ responded, “I was trying to think of titles and originally I wanted to do like a separate title. Because I went with one producer, Steve Lipson, and I wanted it to be a real unified body of work. So I picked a song from the album and ‘Friday’s Child’ I think does embody the album because it’s nine minutes long - which is a long song - it’s a soul track, it’s got a lot of space in it and it’s about letting the music breathe and I think that’s what the whole album is about.” Audio at capitalfm.com has since been removed.

December 21, 2003 Jeff C Gossip 2 Comments

Gareth Gates Praises His Speech Therapist

The Sunday Mail reports Pop Idol Gareth Gates is paying tribute to speech therapist Michael Hay who is helping him battle to beat his chronic stammer. “I’ve been working on my speech. That’s the one of the priorities in my life now,” said Gareth, taking deep breaths before he spoke. “I really want to nail interviews and be able to handle everyday situations. It has been hard work and it’s gonna mean more work ahead. I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Gareth Gates ‘Say It Isn’t So’ Video

Gareth Gates 'Say It Isn't So' single cover

November 25, 2003 - ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up Gareth Gates is out with the music video to his new single ‘Say It Isn’t So’. Check it out at below.

November 30, 2003 Jeff C Gossip No Comments

Rachel Stevens’ Kinky Cargo Gets Seized At Airport

Sky News reports Rachel Stevens was stopped by security at Heathrow Airport with a kinky cargo of six leather whips, seizing the items fearing the former S Club star could use them as weapons. Stevens was headed to Edinburgh, Scotland for the Royal Variety Performance. “It’s funny. What did they imagine?,” Stevens said.

Simon Cowell Not Impressed With ‘Pop Idol’ Crop

November 17, 2003 - Speaking after the ‘Love Actually’ premiere at London’s Odeon in Leicester Square on Sunday, Simon Cowell told The Sun: “Would I offer them a deal if they came into my office? No, I wouldn’t if I’m being honest. Without the ‘Pop Idol’ show behind them it would be very difficult for them to land a solo deal. We have had some good performances this year but we have also had many average ones as well. But don’t get me wrong - I think they are talented kids. I cannot tell you who is going to win because it is too open, but I do like Michelle because she’s a personality. To be honest, I wouldn’t have signed Will Young or Gareth Gates either if they hadn’t been on ‘Pop Idol’.” Read more.

Rachel Stevens Bares Nearly All On New Video

November 16, 2003 - Rachel’s skimpy, transparent blue basque caused most of the gasps on the set of the former S Club’s star’s new video for ‘Funky Dory’. One insider on the video shoot told The Glasgow Daily Record, “All the men’s jaws dropped when they saw Rachel. She really looked gorgeous and loved being in front of the camera.”

Rachel Stevens Enlisted To Save Gareth’s Pop Career

November 2, 2003 - With Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates’ career in trouble after his latest album ‘Go Your Own Way’ bombed in the charts, the singer is hoping to pair up with former S Club star Rachel in a duet of ‘You are Everything’. Rachel, whose solo debut ‘Funky Dory’ went gold last week, wasn’t keen with the idea, but both share the same management, so the song will likely be recorded anyways.

November 25, 2003 Jeff C Gossip No Comments

Gareth Gates In Migraine Torture

The Glasgow Daily Record reports Gareth Gates doesn’t only suffer from a stammer he also has terrible migraines which can knock him out for days. The Pop Idol runner-up said: “My whole left side goes numb and I wait for the pain to come. Then I go and lie down in a dark room and wait for it to pass. Sometimes it can last about eight hours and take a day to recover, and I feel really weak afterwards. I get sick every half hour and if eat or drink anything it comes straight back up.”

Gareth Gates ‘Not Facing Axe’

October 25, 2003 - Gareth’s label denied reports in The Sun that they were about to drop the Pop Idol runner-up because of poor sales for his new album, ‘Go Your Own Way’. A spokeswoman said the report in The Sun was “completely untrue”, adding that Gates was shooting a new video for a single, which is set for a December release. Read more.

Gareth Gates’ Musical Future In Doubt After Album Bombs

October 20, 2003 - The Sun reports BMG are holding crisis talks after Gareth second album sold only 31,500 copies, shelving plans for the singer to release any more songs this year as they struggle with his image and avoiding a showdown with ‘Pop Idol’ champ Will Young. “Everyone is shocked at how badly Gareth’s album has done,” an industry insider remarked. “Will is still doing well and bosses want to concentrate on him for the rest of the year. Will is still very popular and doesn’t seem to have lost as much sparkle as Gareth with record buyers. Label bosses are still trying to figure out how to save Gareth. There’s no doubt he has talent but they don’t know what image to give him - and how they can make him appeal to fickle youth.” Read more.

Simon Cowell Gives Gareth Gates Praise For Bedding Jordan

October 8, 2003 - The Sun reports Simon Cowell has given Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates praise for having sex with Jordan. Mr. Nasty remarked, “I think it made him more real. Eighteen-year-old boy gets to sleep with glamor model - there’s nothing wrong with that.” But the fling was initially denied by Jordan, and she plans on seeking revenge. She said, “Revenge is sweet and everyone will find out exactly what Gareth was like when I write my book.”

November 11, 2003 Jeff C News No Comments

Belgium’s TMF Awards

The Nokia TMF 2003 Awards went down on Monday (October 6) at the Sport Palace in Antwerp, Belgium. Amongst the winners were Christina Aguilera, who took home three awards, *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Gareth Gates took home one.

Gareth Gates Eyed For ‘Neighbours’ Role

October 6, 2003 - In a move that would reverse the trend of ‘Neighbours’ actor to pop star, the Daily Star reports Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates is set to land a role in Australian soap. “Gareth is a wanted man Down Under,” remarked an industry insider.

Gareth Gates Announces Solo Tour Plans

October 2, 2003 - Gareth will be playing six dates in 2004, beginning February 28th in Glasgow, Scotland. Gareth said: “I’ve wanted to do a solo tour since I can remember. It’s such an amazing feeling when you’re out on the road meeting all the fans.”

Gareth Gates Tour Dates:
Glasgow SECC - Feb 28 2004
Birmingham NEC - Feb 29
Sheffield Hallam Arena - March 2
Newcastle Telewest Arena - March 3
Manchester Evening News Arena - March 4
Wembley Arena, London - March 6

Top UK Pop Stars To Be Featured On ‘Greasemania’

September 17, 2003 - The Sun reports Girls Aloud, Westlife, Darius Danesh, Sarah Whatmore, Lisa Scott Lee, Tony Hadley, Gareth Gates and the Cheeky Girls will be featured on a new compilation album called ‘Greasemania’, featuring songs from the classic movie ‘Grease’. It will be released next month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film. There are also plans for an ITV special.

Gareth Gates Returns With 19-Track Double CD

September 12, 2003 - The Glasgow Daily Record has the first track-by-track rundown of Gareth’s second album, ‘Go Your Own Way’. The Pop Idol runner up remarked about the 19-track album: “I’ve been working really hard in the studio, so when it came to putting the album together, I had lots of tracks to choose from. The sound I’ve been working on has moved on from my last album and I ended up loving all the tracks so much that I wanted to include them all. The only way to do this without losing some was to have two CDs on my album. So now there are 19 tracks which is great, because this way every single one of my favorites are now on there.”

October 8, 2003 Jeff C Awards 9 Comments

Disney Eyes Gareth Gates In Bid To Break America

Sky News reports Disney bosses are keen to use ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up Gareth Gates in a series of new shows in the U.S. after he caught their attention with the ‘Suspicious Minds’ track on the Disney flick ‘Lilo and Stitch’. “They see him as a global star who will appeal to all ages,” a source revealed. The singer is set to have a series built around him which will feature lots of songs and comedy sketches.

Gareth Gates Is Proud Of His Bradford Roots

September 10, 2003 - The Evening Standard reports Gareth was on damage control following the release of his book ‘Talking Point’ where he revealed that he hides his Bradford background when meeting new people, claiming it’s easier to say he’s from London. “My roots are obviously in Bradford - always have been and always will be,” he said. “I spend as much spare time as I can back there with my friends and family and it’s home to me. When I’m asked where I live, I say London as that’s where I’m based now. But home will always be Bradford and I’m proud of that.”

September 10, 2003 Jeff C Gossip 3 Comments

Gareth Gates’ Sister Gets Booted From ‘Pop Idol’

The People reports Nicola Gates, sister to ‘Pop Idol’ runner-up Gareth Gates, locked herself in the bathroom and cried her eyes out after she was booted off the second season of the television series. Nicola said later, “I can’t really describe how I feel. I’m disappointed but at least I got through to the final 100.”

Gareth Gates’ Open Bar Tab

September 2, 2003 - Gareth has revealed he leaves his credit card behind the bar so his friends can buy as much drink as they want. “I usually put my card behind the bar,” Gates tells the Glasgow Daily Record. “I don’t tell everyone, though - only my mates. But I’m not gonna tell you the biggest bar bill I’ve ever had to sign for. Let’s just say it was more than £100.”

Gareth Gates Text Messaged Jordan Break-Up

August 6, 2003 - The Scottish Daily Records reports Jordan has revealed the text message Gareth used to dump her. It read: “Kate, this relationship is goin 2 b 2 hard 4 me. It’s my 1st eva relationship and it’s just cum at the wrong time. I cudnt av sed this over the phone cos of obvious.”

September 7, 2003 Jeff C Gossip 2 Comments
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