Remember WAY back in the early noughties before The X Factor was a thing? Back in those days there were no glam squads flitting around the contestants and definitely no audience members booing the crap acts.
Ah, no. We had the much more stripped back Pop Idol, where contestants auditioned in what looked like a run-down community club in front of the judging panel, which included Simon Cowell looking like someone COMPLETELY different.
And then, back in the ancient year of 2002, a VERY shy and nervous teenager with the most insanely spikey hair came along and literally stole the nations hearts when he managed to overcome his stammer to sing Flying Without Wings.
Gareth managed to steal the show (sorry, Will Young), and then went on to release a version of Unchained Melody, which we then bought on single from Woolworths and listened to while laying on our bedroom floors in a super-crush stupor. Just us?
Well, to all those who wondered where your first love went, we have all of the answers. And you'll be happy to know that he's still hot as hell – nay, he is HOTTER. Those rock-solid gel spikes are a distant memory, and even though we were sure we would love them forever we are completely in awe of Gareth's floppy locks. And his TOIGHT arms.
Where is Gareth Gates now?
Gareth has been a very busy boy since rising to fame on Pop Idol. After enjoying a successful solo career and bagging seven top five singles (not too shabby), Gareth went on to dabble in the world of musical theatre and has starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Legally Blonde and Boogie Nights.
These days, he seems to be focused on his fitness and regularly shares photo of his RIPPED bod with his 68,000 followers on Instagram.
Who is Gareth Gates' girlfriend?
Gareth has been dating Ibiza DJ Chloe McLennan since last summer and they now live together. The couple were seen in public for the first time in September as they celebrated her 30th birthday in Manchester.
CHECK OUT artists who started their careers on TV talent shows
Artists who started life on TV talent shows - SLIDER
1 of 16Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were first created when they appeared on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. With Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle all winning a place in the band, the group went on to achieve their debut number one with the track 'Sound Of The Underground'. Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success in the UK and scored a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK Charts. In 2013 the band announced their split after their final UK tour.
2 of 16Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen enjoyed massive success with her hit single 'Call Me Maybe' in 2012 but before that she came third on Canadian Idol. After getting her break with 'Call Me Maybe', Carly went on to have hits such as 'I Really Like You' and 'Run Away With Me'.
3 of 16Beyoncé
She's one of the world's biggest superstars but Beyonce first found fame on TV show Star Search back in 1993. Beyonce enjoyed massive success alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in girl band Destiny's Child but made a name for herself with her massive solo singles. The singer is currently on her 'On The Run II' tour with her husband Jay-Z and the pair recently dropped their surprise new album 'Everything Is Love'.
4 of 16Britney Spears
Britney appeared on Star Search at the age of just 11!She went on to release her first two albums in 1999 and 2000 which turned out to be international successes. After a hiatus away from music due to personal issues, Britney returned with a bang with hits such as 'Womanizer', 'Piece Of Me' and 'If You Seek Amy'. Britney now has a Las Vegas residency for her 'Piece Of Me' show Planet Hollywood.
5 of 16Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert shot to fame when he finished in second place on American Idol back in 2009. The singer went on to release his debut album 'For You Entertainment' and has since sold over 5 million records to date. In the past few years Adam has been touring as the lead vocalist with rock band Queen.
6 of 16Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search as a youngster back in 1990. It wasn't until 1999 when the singer really made waves in the music industry with hits including 'Genie In The Bottle' and 'What A Girl Wants'. Throughout the noughties Christina had some massive hits such as 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful' and 'Hurt' and later went on to star in a number of movies such as Burlesque. The singer now has five Grammy Awards, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and appears on The Voice as a mentor.
7 of 16Fifth Harmony
American girl band Fifth Harmony started their success when they finished third on The X Factor USA back in 2012. The band signed to Syco Records and enjoyed a number of hits both in the UK and USA including 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It'. In 2017 Camilla Cabello announced she had left the band to focus on her solo caree, and in March 2018 the group revealed they were going on a hiatus.
8 of 16Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks became American Idol's youngest ever winner when she won over competition at the age of just 17 in 2006. The singer has since enjoyed massive success with her hits including 'Tattoo', 'Battlefield' and her 'No Air' debut with Chris Brown.
9 of 16Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson shot to fame in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol. Kelly has now released seven albums to date including the likes of 'Breakaway', 'Stronger' and her 2015 album 'Piece By Piece'.
10 of 16Jennifer Hudson
Despite her amazing success, Jennifer unbelievably only finished 7th on American Idol back in 2004. She's since went on to appear in hit movie Dreamgirls, released three studio albums and became a mentor on TV show The Voice UK.
11 of 16Justin Timberlake
Mr Timberlake appeared on TV show Star Search in 1992 singing a country song in his audition.He's come a long way since then! In the late 1990s Justin became one of the lead vocalists in boyband NSYNC.He then went solo and achieved massive success with hits such as 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and 'Sexy Back'. In 2016 Justin voiced a character for hit film Trolls and is set to return for the sequel in 2021. The singer also released his amazing new music in early 2018.
12 of 16Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006. Leona went on to have five successful albums and has completed three tours to date. In 2016 Leona made her Broadway debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.
13 of 16Nicole Scherzinger
She enjoyed massive success in The Pussycat Dolls but before that Nicole Scherzinger appeared on Popstars in 2001. It was her time in girl band The Pussycat Dolls which really started her success. The band became one of the world's biggest selling girl bands with hits such as 'Don't Cha' and 'Jai Ho'. Nicole later left the band and has enjoyed a solo career. The singer is also a judge on The X Factor, although rumours are suggesting she won't be returning for the 2018 series.
14 of 16One Direction
They are one of the biggest bands in the world but we wouldn't have One Direction if it wasn't thanks to The X Factor. Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn all auditioned for the show as solo artists but were later put together in a group. Despite finishing third in 2010, the band went on to achieve massive success. They went on to have five albums, four world tours and sold millions of records with hits such as 'Best Song Ever' and 'What Makes You Beautiful'. After Zayn Malik announced his departure, the band started their hiatus in January 2016 and have all gone on to release solo material.
15 of 16Little Mix
Little Mix made history in 2011 when they became the first ever band to win The X Factor. Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne released the track 'Cannonball' as their winners' single before going on to have hits such as 'Wings', 'No More Sad Songs' and 'Power'.After a number of massive sell-out tours, the band are currently working on their fifth studio album and have just finished their 'Summer Hits Tour' in the UK.
16 of 16Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle first shot to fame when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009. After shocking audiences and the judging panel with her incredible rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Susan went on to finish in second place behind Diversity. This was just the start for the Scottish singer as she went on to achieve massive success, selling millions of records worldwide.
Why did Gareth Gates split up with Faye Brookes?
While he’s currently loved up with his latest girlfriend Chloe, Gareth previously dated Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes on and off for seven years. The pair first met in 2012 while starring in the musical Legally Blonde but split in 2018.
Not only did the pair reunite in January 2019, but they also announced they were engaged after Gareth popped the question by serenading Faye with a 17 minute song in New York over New Year’s.
Sadly though, things didn’t work out for Gareth and Faye and they split just months later. At the time, a source close to the couple revealed, “Gareth and Faye have been through a lot together but they just can’t make it work.
“She’s in a different place right now after leaving Corrie and is working hard to land some new roles. She was really excited about the wedding and had even picked a venue but deep down she knew it wasn’t right.”
Does Gareth Gates have any children?
Gareth is a proud dad to 12-year-old daughter Missy, his only child from his first marriage to Suzanne Mole. Although he usually keeps her out of the public eye, Gareth shared a rare snap of Missy back in July.
The adorable photo of Gareth kissing his daughter on the head was captioned, “My ENTIRE world. It’s not often I post photos of my little girl – she’s growing up so fast! Daddy loves you.”
Gareth married Missy’s mum Suzanne in 2008 but they split in 2012 after he admitted they’d “grown apart”. “Despite our efforts over the past three years to make our marriage work, sadly Suzanne and I have decided to separate. Whilst we have grown apart, we love and cherish our wonderful daughter Missy and together we will prioritise her happy upbringing,” he said at the time.
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What happened between Gareth Gates and Katie Price?
Fresh-faced teen heartthrob Gareth shocked the nation back in 2003 when he admitted that he’d lost his virginity to Katie Price, who was six months pregnant at the time, in a world exclusive interview with heat magazine.
Gareth was 17 years old when Katie took his virginity and he later admitted the impact of his revelation made him want to quit fame. “It wasn’t too long after that I decided to take a break from industry. It wasn’t the reason I wanted to be a pop star. There are stars out there for the wrong reason. I was to be recognised for my talent,” he explained in 2016.
The singer initially denied he’d slept with Katie and he later explained why while taking part in The Big Reunion. Gareth said, “I denied the whole Jordan thing because I was 17, I didn't want my family to find out about my sex life. If I hadn't of lied it wouldn't have been a big deal, my family, friends and fans wouldn't have felt as let down I guess.”
He added, “For me I was very young, I had to say I don't want to have a long term relationship at this age, so she sold the story, and I said it was all lies. The only thing I thought in my head to do was say it had never happened, I felt I had to because I didn't want my family to know about my sex life, I didn't tell anyone my family or friends, so they all backed me.”
Is Gareth Gates on Instagram?
He sure is - you can follow Gareth at @gareth_gates, where he posts a LOT of topless gym selfies. You're welcome.