Post by GPG MY IDOL on Nov 1, 2011 16:22:16 GMT
The link for this has been posted on Gareth Twitter I think they are great questions so thought it would be nice on here
Twenty questions with...Gareth Gates
Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 08:39
MILLIONS of TV viewers watched Gareth Gates in Pop Idol, battling a speech impediment to win through to the final where he was runner-up to Will Young.
This panto season audiences at Milton Keynes Theatre will be able to watch Gareth in action playing the title role in the Christmas show Aladdin.
Aladdin will run at Milton Keynes from December 9 to January 15.
To book tickets, ring 0844 8717652.
1) How do you feel about taking on the role of Aladdin this year?
I am particularly excited this year as it’s my daughter’s favourite Disney film and at two and a half she’ll be able to understand what’s going on a bit better this year.
2) Why do you think panto is still so popular?
I think at Christmas we all just want to enjoy ourselves – you see groups of schools/office parties etc. Even when times are tough as they are for everyone right now, it’s important to have a laugh with mates/family.
3) How does it feel now to look back on your Pop Idol experience?
I cannot believe it’s 10 years right now, without it who knows what I would be doing?
4) Do you have any other forthcoming projects coming up?
I’m about to take the lead in my third musical early next year and am proud of what I’ve achieved in the last 10 years. I’ve just also accepted my first purely acting role for next autumn. No hiding behind the singing – just speaking.
5) How did you find the courage to face huge TV audiences at the time of Pop Idol, knowing you were still battling to overcome your stammer?
I wanted it so much. The singing actually didn’t worry me – it was the interviews with Ant and Dec I dreaded.
6) How hard was it to express yourself at that time?
I wanted so much to get across the real me but I just found it very hard. But I try not to let my speech stop me doing anything in life.
7) You have become a bit of a role model for people who stammer, what would your advice be to other young people struggling with speech problems?
First you must accept you have a problem and then have the courage to face up to it. If you can find the right method to tackle it – as I have with the McGuire technique – then you really can do anything. Who would have thought that boy 10 years ago who couldn’t say his own name would be this week filming a documentary teaching other out of control stammerers? I certainly didn’t.
8) What do you think of the influence that shows like Pop Idol and X Factor have had on the music industry?
Anything that helps talented people make it in the industry is good in my book. It’s also a great show and lots of fun to watch, I always get involved in Twitter banter when it’s on.
9) How do you like to spend your time when not working?
When I have some time off I’ll let you know. I’ve been constantly playing gigs, filming the documentary and now panto. Then it’s rehearsals for Hair which opens in Germany in March and then straight into a play in September. I’m spending as much time with my family as I can while I’m based at home before I go away on tour again. A holiday in the sun would be nice.
10) What book did you last read?
I’ve been reading up on Mozart actually for a possible project. I studied music, so I have a basic knowledge, but I’ve been looking into his life and work a bit more.
11) What meal do you most like to cook at home?
I love to cook actually. I like to experiment with different types of food. Especially Asian. I cook a mean pad Thai.
12) What is your proudest achievement?
First number one, making the Pop Idol final, learning to control my speech, my first acting role. But all these pale into insignificance when I see my daughter Missy – definitely my finest moment.
13) What is your worst habit?
Not replying to emails and returning calls probably.
14) What are your pet hates?
I’m a bit OCD when it comes to tidiness – so untidiness would be one.
15) What do you drive?
A Range Rover - I do lots of driving for gigs and up north with Suzanne and Missy to see the family so it’s very comfortable and fits everything in.
16) What is your most treasured possession?
My iphone and Mac – I use them for everything, my DJ sets, gigs, and just staying in touch with people wherever I am – as most of next year I am on tour.
17) What makes you laugh?
My mates, my daughter, also shows like Family Guy.
18) Who has most inspired you in your life?
Recently, my speech coach Chris Cooksey. He’s a great inspiration as he too has battled with having a stammer all of his life. If you’re reading, thanks Chris.
19) If you could go back in time and do anything in your life differently, what would it be?
Nothing. Everything I’ve done has made me who I am.
20) What ambition would you most like to fulfil?
I would like to make another album. I am determined to write it with my band this time, and release it as a band project. I was too young to know what I wanted the first time around. I’m much more confident now – and I play piano and guitar and have my home studio – I just need to find the time.
Twenty questions with...Gareth Gates
Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 08:39
MILLIONS of TV viewers watched Gareth Gates in Pop Idol, battling a speech impediment to win through to the final where he was runner-up to Will Young.
This panto season audiences at Milton Keynes Theatre will be able to watch Gareth in action playing the title role in the Christmas show Aladdin.
Aladdin will run at Milton Keynes from December 9 to January 15.
To book tickets, ring 0844 8717652.
1) How do you feel about taking on the role of Aladdin this year?
I am particularly excited this year as it’s my daughter’s favourite Disney film and at two and a half she’ll be able to understand what’s going on a bit better this year.
2) Why do you think panto is still so popular?
I think at Christmas we all just want to enjoy ourselves – you see groups of schools/office parties etc. Even when times are tough as they are for everyone right now, it’s important to have a laugh with mates/family.
3) How does it feel now to look back on your Pop Idol experience?
I cannot believe it’s 10 years right now, without it who knows what I would be doing?
4) Do you have any other forthcoming projects coming up?
I’m about to take the lead in my third musical early next year and am proud of what I’ve achieved in the last 10 years. I’ve just also accepted my first purely acting role for next autumn. No hiding behind the singing – just speaking.
5) How did you find the courage to face huge TV audiences at the time of Pop Idol, knowing you were still battling to overcome your stammer?
I wanted it so much. The singing actually didn’t worry me – it was the interviews with Ant and Dec I dreaded.
6) How hard was it to express yourself at that time?
I wanted so much to get across the real me but I just found it very hard. But I try not to let my speech stop me doing anything in life.
7) You have become a bit of a role model for people who stammer, what would your advice be to other young people struggling with speech problems?
First you must accept you have a problem and then have the courage to face up to it. If you can find the right method to tackle it – as I have with the McGuire technique – then you really can do anything. Who would have thought that boy 10 years ago who couldn’t say his own name would be this week filming a documentary teaching other out of control stammerers? I certainly didn’t.
8) What do you think of the influence that shows like Pop Idol and X Factor have had on the music industry?
Anything that helps talented people make it in the industry is good in my book. It’s also a great show and lots of fun to watch, I always get involved in Twitter banter when it’s on.
9) How do you like to spend your time when not working?
When I have some time off I’ll let you know. I’ve been constantly playing gigs, filming the documentary and now panto. Then it’s rehearsals for Hair which opens in Germany in March and then straight into a play in September. I’m spending as much time with my family as I can while I’m based at home before I go away on tour again. A holiday in the sun would be nice.
10) What book did you last read?
I’ve been reading up on Mozart actually for a possible project. I studied music, so I have a basic knowledge, but I’ve been looking into his life and work a bit more.
11) What meal do you most like to cook at home?
I love to cook actually. I like to experiment with different types of food. Especially Asian. I cook a mean pad Thai.
12) What is your proudest achievement?
First number one, making the Pop Idol final, learning to control my speech, my first acting role. But all these pale into insignificance when I see my daughter Missy – definitely my finest moment.
13) What is your worst habit?
Not replying to emails and returning calls probably.
14) What are your pet hates?
I’m a bit OCD when it comes to tidiness – so untidiness would be one.
15) What do you drive?
A Range Rover - I do lots of driving for gigs and up north with Suzanne and Missy to see the family so it’s very comfortable and fits everything in.
16) What is your most treasured possession?
My iphone and Mac – I use them for everything, my DJ sets, gigs, and just staying in touch with people wherever I am – as most of next year I am on tour.
17) What makes you laugh?
My mates, my daughter, also shows like Family Guy.
18) Who has most inspired you in your life?
Recently, my speech coach Chris Cooksey. He’s a great inspiration as he too has battled with having a stammer all of his life. If you’re reading, thanks Chris.
19) If you could go back in time and do anything in your life differently, what would it be?
Nothing. Everything I’ve done has made me who I am.
20) What ambition would you most like to fulfil?
I would like to make another album. I am determined to write it with my band this time, and release it as a band project. I was too young to know what I wanted the first time around. I’m much more confident now – and I play piano and guitar and have my home studio – I just need to find the time.
