Post by carol on Jul 4, 2013 14:16:06 GMT
Great interview here, enjoy! 
Gareth Gates bringing songs from the musicals to 'sunny Torquay'
LIVING with a stammer can't be easy but singer and West End star Gareth Gates has managed to find a release through singing and is now reaping the benefits.
The performer, who has topped the charts and has sold more than three millions records in the UK, shot to fame after coming second on Pop Idol 10 years ago.
During his audition for the show, he shocked the nation when he had trouble talking to the judges because of his speech impediment, which disappears when he sings.
He has now improved the speech issue thanks to the McGuire Programme, but still finds it difficult to chat without constant coaching and help.
"It's changed my life hugely, I should work harder on it," said Gareth, who is appearing at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, in Momentous Musicals in July.
"I go through ups and downs with my speech, recently more downs as I'm too busy.
"It's something I have to constantly have to address but the more work I put in, the better results I see. It can go well when I put the work in."
Gareth realised his stutter disappears when he sings at just eight years old, when he appeared in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at school.
"I've had a terrible stammer all my life and was never really able to express myself or say anything, so singing has let me express myself and since then music has been my one true passion," he said.
"To then, finally, play Joseph in the West End was a real honour and meant a lot to me."
The singer has carved out a successful career in some of the country's top musicals, appearing in Les Miserables and playing Warner in Legally Blonde.
"Being in Les Miserables was a highlight, simply because we created a brand new version of the show for the 25th anniversary," said Gareth.
"We toured for about 10 months with that then I was asked to come into the West End and play Marius."
He's now teamed up with his Les Mis co-star John Owen Jones to appear in Momentous Musicals.
The show premiered at New Wimbledon Theatre last year and it's now back by popular demand.
It comes to Torquay on Friday, July 19.
With an accompanying cast of the highest West End calibre, this year's show will feature new arrangements of classic and recent musical theatre songs including 'Let Me Be Your Star' from Smash, 'What I Did For Love' (A Chorus Line) and 'One Day More' (Les Misérables).
Momentous Musicals is a concert celebration of those fondly remembered songs we all know and love from an incomparable selection of musicals — those which have audiences returning time after time.
The show prides itself on high production values and top-notch talent, which combine to offer an unforgettable evening of popular songs, eclipsing even its closest rival with artistic aplomb.
"The show got a really good reaction in Wimbledon last year and the response and feedback was quite incredible and we decided to put in more dates and bring it down to sunny Torquay."
Gareth is no stranger to the south west having played in Plymouth while in Legally Blonde and Boogie Nights.
"I've also been to Torquay a few times on holiday as a child and done various radio interviews when I've had albums there," said Gareth.
Since becoming an overnight success on Pop Idol, losing out to winner Will Young, he enjoyed massive chart success.
"I think shows like The Voice and X Factor and, of course, Pop Idol have a format which works and I still watch bits and pieces of it, but I don't get much of a chance to watch as I generally am performing on a Saturday night," said Gareth.
"People criticise and knock it but they are still finding massive stars from doing these shows, like One Direction and last year's winner James Arthur, his voice and artist he's become is incredible.
"I still speak to Will and often Zoe Birkett, she's a very good friend of mine and has been since we were on Pop Idol."
Gareth's first single, a cover of Unchained Melody, entered the UK singles chart at number one.
The single went double-platinum in the UK, and was voted 2002's The Record of the Year by ITV viewers.
This was followed by another 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 Will Young, also reached number one.
Following his initial hits, his pop career floundered and he found fame on stage.
He's now hoping to combine both a music and stage career.
"I'm currently working on a new album, I'm writing it with my band at the moment and I'm also in the middle of an acoustic tour and playing to sell out crowds.
"I've decided to do it this way to ease myself back into the industry. I've really missed it."
As well as juggling his already busy career, he's also teamed up with Robbie Williams' best mate Jonathan Wilkes to open performing arts schools for youngsters.
They set up the Gates and Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts for young people from five to 18 in his home town of Bradford.
They've since opened many more across the country.
"We're really proud of them and how they are going," he said.
"It's my way of giving something back and teaching the youngsters what I've learnt.
"We teach them singing, dancing and acting and if they learn a little of those three disciplines it stands them in good stead."
He also hopes his pre-school age daughter, Missy, will follow in his footsteps.
"She's already singing and dancing. She comes to all my gigs and she comes up on stage. She'll certainly be a singer and dancer," he said.
"I'd give her the same advice as I'd give anyone, your work ethic has to be strong and you have to put the time in."
DAWN ELLIS
Gareth Gates bringing songs from the musicals to 'sunny Torquay'
LIVING with a stammer can't be easy but singer and West End star Gareth Gates has managed to find a release through singing and is now reaping the benefits.
The performer, who has topped the charts and has sold more than three millions records in the UK, shot to fame after coming second on Pop Idol 10 years ago.
During his audition for the show, he shocked the nation when he had trouble talking to the judges because of his speech impediment, which disappears when he sings.
He has now improved the speech issue thanks to the McGuire Programme, but still finds it difficult to chat without constant coaching and help.
"It's changed my life hugely, I should work harder on it," said Gareth, who is appearing at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, in Momentous Musicals in July.
"I go through ups and downs with my speech, recently more downs as I'm too busy.
"It's something I have to constantly have to address but the more work I put in, the better results I see. It can go well when I put the work in."
Gareth realised his stutter disappears when he sings at just eight years old, when he appeared in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at school.
"I've had a terrible stammer all my life and was never really able to express myself or say anything, so singing has let me express myself and since then music has been my one true passion," he said.
"To then, finally, play Joseph in the West End was a real honour and meant a lot to me."
The singer has carved out a successful career in some of the country's top musicals, appearing in Les Miserables and playing Warner in Legally Blonde.
"Being in Les Miserables was a highlight, simply because we created a brand new version of the show for the 25th anniversary," said Gareth.
"We toured for about 10 months with that then I was asked to come into the West End and play Marius."
He's now teamed up with his Les Mis co-star John Owen Jones to appear in Momentous Musicals.
The show premiered at New Wimbledon Theatre last year and it's now back by popular demand.
It comes to Torquay on Friday, July 19.
With an accompanying cast of the highest West End calibre, this year's show will feature new arrangements of classic and recent musical theatre songs including 'Let Me Be Your Star' from Smash, 'What I Did For Love' (A Chorus Line) and 'One Day More' (Les Misérables).
Momentous Musicals is a concert celebration of those fondly remembered songs we all know and love from an incomparable selection of musicals — those which have audiences returning time after time.
The show prides itself on high production values and top-notch talent, which combine to offer an unforgettable evening of popular songs, eclipsing even its closest rival with artistic aplomb.
"The show got a really good reaction in Wimbledon last year and the response and feedback was quite incredible and we decided to put in more dates and bring it down to sunny Torquay."
Gareth is no stranger to the south west having played in Plymouth while in Legally Blonde and Boogie Nights.
"I've also been to Torquay a few times on holiday as a child and done various radio interviews when I've had albums there," said Gareth.
Since becoming an overnight success on Pop Idol, losing out to winner Will Young, he enjoyed massive chart success.
"I think shows like The Voice and X Factor and, of course, Pop Idol have a format which works and I still watch bits and pieces of it, but I don't get much of a chance to watch as I generally am performing on a Saturday night," said Gareth.
"People criticise and knock it but they are still finding massive stars from doing these shows, like One Direction and last year's winner James Arthur, his voice and artist he's become is incredible.
"I still speak to Will and often Zoe Birkett, she's a very good friend of mine and has been since we were on Pop Idol."
Gareth's first single, a cover of Unchained Melody, entered the UK singles chart at number one.
The single went double-platinum in the UK, and was voted 2002's The Record of the Year by ITV viewers.
This was followed by another 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 Will Young, also reached number one.
Following his initial hits, his pop career floundered and he found fame on stage.
He's now hoping to combine both a music and stage career.
"I'm currently working on a new album, I'm writing it with my band at the moment and I'm also in the middle of an acoustic tour and playing to sell out crowds.
"I've decided to do it this way to ease myself back into the industry. I've really missed it."
As well as juggling his already busy career, he's also teamed up with Robbie Williams' best mate Jonathan Wilkes to open performing arts schools for youngsters.
They set up the Gates and Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts for young people from five to 18 in his home town of Bradford.
They've since opened many more across the country.
"We're really proud of them and how they are going," he said.
"It's my way of giving something back and teaching the youngsters what I've learnt.
"We teach them singing, dancing and acting and if they learn a little of those three disciplines it stands them in good stead."
He also hopes his pre-school age daughter, Missy, will follow in his footsteps.
"She's already singing and dancing. She comes to all my gigs and she comes up on stage. She'll certainly be a singer and dancer," he said.
"I'd give her the same advice as I'd give anyone, your work ethic has to be strong and you have to put the time in."
DAWN ELLIS
