She says the singer revealed his feelings for her after they had been seeing each other for about a month.

She told Heat magazine: "He sent me a text message saying it. And then the next time we met up again a couple of days later at my mates house he said it again to my face."

Jordan said Gareth also used to send her text messages during breaks in live Pop Idol shows, such as: "Watch the next song. I'll be looking at the camera and thinking of you."

She added: "I couldn't tell anyone so I used to watch it and think: "I'm going out with him".

But Gareth suddenly ended the relationship after he came second in the show and when the newspapers got hold of the story about their relationship.

"I phoned him at home one day to chat and he just came out with it. He said: "I'm not going to have time for you now. I've got to focus on my music." I was just shocked. It was so sudden."

But she said she didn't regret going out with him and even admitted she would go out with him again if they were both single and he asked her.

"Any girl who goes out with him will be lucky because he really makes you feel like a princess," she said.

The model told Heat magazine that the sex was over in less than a minute but he was a tender lover and she was besotted.

Jordan said she fancied Gareth from the first time she ever saw him on television during the Pop Idol auditions.

The model didn't think he would be interested as she was pregnant but rang him up out of the blue after getting his number from a friend.

They agreed to meet and she picked him up from a hotel and they went to a friend's house but kept the relationship secret from the Pop Idol organisers.

Jordan said: "I remember looking at him in the car mirror when he was walking up and I was checking him out. I was like: "Cor, he's gorgeous".

"You know when you get butterflies and go all silly and clumsy. Like that. Couldn't eat in front of him, all those things."

She said it was another three weeks before they slept together and that he was a virgin: "He said he'd done it with a family friend but that was bullsh*t. I could just tell. It was over in seconds. A minute at a push."

But she said he was a tender lover: "It was more than just sex. Even though it didn't last very long, he was kissing me really slowly and gently. It was really nice."

The busty glamour model has said she'll dish the dirt on Gareth when the new series starts next week.

She slept with the Pop Idol star when she was six months pregnant.

But Gareth claims he isn't bothered about what she will reveal during two weeks in the jungle. "I've said everything that needs to be said and I'm sure she has, so I'm not that worried. I probably won't be tuning in though.''

Gates won favourite TV music performance and favourite male singer, while Young won favourite album with From Now On at the awards, which are decided by only public telephone votes.

The six-date arena tour, next February and March, ends at Wembley Arena on March 6.

The rest of the dates are: Glasgow SECC (February 28), Birmingham NEC (29), Sheffield Hallam Arena (March 2), Newcastle Telewest Arena (3) and Manchester Evening News Arena (4).

Tickets go on sale on Friday.

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.

"Without my fans I wouldn't be where I am today, they've always been so supportive and loyal, I can't thank them enough, so this tour means the world to me and I'm really looking forward to it."

He pipped a host of other nominees to take the award at the bash held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Dannii Minogue - who performed two of her hits for the audience - took the Best Female award while urban outfit Big Brovaz grabbed the Best Group accolade.

Other winners at the ceremony included Busted, who won the Best Newcomer category, and Girls Aloud who collected the Best Single award for their number one hit Sound Of The Underground.

Fans watching the bash were also treated to a world television exclusive performance by Craig David of his new single, World Filled With Love.

The star also picked up a gong for Best Studio Disney Performance.

The chart-topping star admitted in his autobiography that he hides his Bradford background when meeting new people.

Many foreigners have never heard of Bradford so it is easier to claim he is from the capital, he explained in his new book, Talking Point.

But his remarks caused upset in the Yorkshire city and he is keen to undo the damage.

"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."

The 19-year-old singer spent his life in Bradford until ITV talent show Pop Idol turned him into a star and he moved to a luxury flat in London.

He became an ambassador for the city during its bid to become the European Capital of Culture.

He recently splashed out on a £500,000 farmhouse for his family on the outskirts of Bradford.

Other acts appearing at Hebs Live and Loud in Glasgow's Hampden Park include Blue, Liberty X, Sugababes, Mis-Teeq, Busted, Girls Aloud, Dannii Minogue, Blazin Squad, Kym Marsh and Lisa Scott-Lee.

Scotland's own chart-toppers Darius, from Bearsden, near Glasgow, and David Sneddon, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, were also taking part in the event.

A spokeswoman for the event said: "We are disappointed to confirm that Gareth Gates has cancelled his scheduled appearance at this year's Hebs Live and Loud due to illness.

"We are sure all of Gareth's Scottish fans would like to join everyone here at the event in sending him all our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

"We still have an amazing line-up of the best UK pop acts on the bill and fans are in for a fantastic afternoon of music."

The singer had previously denied a liaison with the topless model, despite her own confessions to tabloid newspapers.

But Gates has finally spoken about the coupling in an interview with Heat magazine.

"I have never spoken about my personal relationships with anyone and had no intention of doing so until now.

"At the end of Pop Idol I did have a brief relationship with Jordan," the 18-year-old said.

Gates said that at the time he found Jordan's attentions flattering.

"I was 17 years old and had just moved from Bradford to London when, to be honest, I was pursued by her. I was bemused as to why she went to the press with it as I see relationships as private.

"That was the very reason I didn't talk about it. I was embarrassed by what was said and didn't want my family to find out about it in this way. They obviously know now as I have been open with them."

Jordan, whose real name is Katie Price, has said that she had a three-month relationship with Gareth.

The track by the Pop Idol stars was named the third worst in a poll for digital TV channel Music Choice.

Star Trek star William Shatner's spoken word version of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds was thought the worst ever rendition of a Beatles song.

Shatner finished just ahead of Pinky & Perky who did a version of All My Loving.

Former Formula One driver Damon Hill, who was a pal of late Beatle George Harrison, finished in fourth position for his version of Drive My Car.

Jim Carrey made the list for his version of I Am The Walrus, which he recorded for a tribute album for Beatles producer Sir George Martin.

Simon Bell of Music Choice said: "There can be few greater challenges even for the finest musicians than attempting to cover a track by The Beatles.

"After all, how can you hope to improve on the work of the world's greatest ever group?

"While chart acts like PM Dawn, Suggs and Candy Flip might feel entitled to have a stab at greatness, the likes of Damon Hill, Jim Carrey and William Shatner are best advised to stick to the day job."

The full top ten includes:
1. William Shatner - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds;
2. Pinky & Perky - All My Loving;
3. Will Young & Gareth Gates - The Long and Winding Road;
4. Damon Hill - Drive My Car;
5. Bananarama with French & Saunders - Help!;
6. Jim Carrey - I Am the Walrus;
7. Wet Wet Wet - With A Little Help From My Friends;
8. Suggs - I'm Only Sleeping;
9. PM Dawn - Norwegian Wood;
10. Candy Flip - Strawberry Fields Forever.

Spirit in the Sky, which features television characters the Kumars, has knocked Christina Aguilera's song Beautiful off the top spot.

Six of this week's top 10 are new entries, including All I Have, by Jennifer Lopez, featuring LL Cool J, which entered the charts at number two.

Shania Twain's latest single, Ka-Ching, came in at number eight.

Norah Jones held on to the top of the album charts for another week with Come Away with Me.

His locks went for just £35, in the online auction organised by hair firm Wella.

Top Of The Mops in the auction was Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe whose trimmings went for £751.

Second was Gareth Gates whose famous spike went for £651, while Dolly the Sheep's wool fetched £500.

Dennis's thatch even managed only a fifth of the total pulled in by Christine and Neil Hamilton of £181.

The former Family Fortunes host last year parted from his wife Amanda Holden, who coincidentally stars as a hairdresser in TV's Cutting It.

The auction raised more than £3,500 for Comic Relief.

Jade stalls three times on her three point turn as her examiner laughs nervously and scribbles away on her test sheet. And, a show insider described Simon Day's effort at parallel parking as "appalling".

Nadia leaves the indicator on for ages only to be told by her examiner that she is confusing the drivers behind her.

Viewers will also see a nervous Paul O'Grady struggle to open the car door and then clip a parked car's wing mirror at the start of the test, while Gareth Gates gets in the car but realises he has left the keys in his jacket pocket.

A Comic Relief spokesman said: "To be honest, test day was not good. They were all petrified - apart from Natalie who is ice cool.

"Paul was the most nervous - I thought he was going to chicken out. Jade got herself really worked up as well. Gareth was really cocky and didn't seem to have any nerves -but maybe that was his way of hiding them."

The celebrities will be seen taking their tests on BBC1 tonight at 8.30pm, with the results announced on Red Nose Night on March 14, from 7pm.

The film, which follows the band in their bid to uncover a plot to clone pop stars, has a cameo appearance by Gareth Gates.

In one scene they end up behind bars after they're caught fleeing a hotel without paying the bill.

But it turns out that S Club have been cloned themselves - by an evil scientist.

The star is currently working on a number of new tracks, which he says will surprise fans.

His latest single, in aid of Comic Relief, is a new version of the Norman Greenbaum classic Spirit In The Sky.

Gareth told the Radio Times: "The new tracks I am working on have much more of an R'n'B feel.

"I want to move away from pop - well, not pop as a whole but I want to get away from the cheesy side of it."

They were joined by Gareth Gates, Gary Lineker and Patrick Kielty in a mock barber's shop.

Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Vic and Bob, and Adam and Joe lead the list of comedians taking part in this year's night of entertainment on BBC1.

Red Nose Day, on March 14, also includes special comedy episodes of EastEnders, French And Saunders and The Kumars.

Comic Relief Does Celebrity Driving School, sees Gareth Gates, Jade Goody, Paul O'Grady and Nadia Sawalha test their driving skills.

And, viewers will see Billy Connolly help out in a 200-bed hospital in Somaliland for African Hospital.

Comic Relief - The Ultimate Makeover, features celebrities including Davina McCall, Lenny Henry and Gordon Ramsay, cooking, building and digging their way through a challenge.

His cover of Spirit In The Sky - this year's Comic Relief record - has a Bollywood flavour to it and features dancers from the musical Bombay Dreams.

Sanjeev said he helped teach Gareth his dance steps.

The charity record will be released in the run-up to Red Nose Day on March 14.

The star met Suzanne Mole, 27, at the Record Of The Year 2002 awards in December.

Suzanne used to date singer Sean Conlon, of now defunct boy band Five.

He will release the charity record in the run-up to Red Nose Day on March 14.

He will follow in the footsteps of The Spice Girls, and Westlife, who had a number one two years ago with their cover of Uptown Girl.

Pop Idol winner Will Young has already gone down the charity single route with Don't Let Me Down, released in aid of Children In Need.

A spokeswoman for the charity confirmed Gareth had been chosen but no decision had been made yet on the choice of song.

It has not yet been decided whether he will record a cover version or release a new track, or whether other stars will join him on the single.

The record is not Gareth's only involvement with this year's Comic Relief.

The Bradford-born teenager is also one of the famous faces taking part in Celebrity Driving School.

He says one of his New Year's resolutions is to work out at the gym.

It is thought the singer's management wants him to widen his appeal to older women, as well as his devoted young followers.

Gareth's new single, What My Heart Wants To Say, is expected to chart at number six according to latest figures from Virgin Megastores.

His previous two singles and his duet with Will Young have all charted at No 1.

Blue's duet with Elton John, Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, is well ahead of the competition in the race for number one.

The Cheeky Girls should remain at number two with Eminem dropping down to number three.

Daniel Bedingfield should be at number four with Robbie Williams' Feel at five.

In the album chart, the number one album should be Now 53.

The Fame Academy album is expected to debut at number two.

A shortlist of ten songs has been drawn up for the award, presented by Ant and Dec on ITV this Saturday.

The ten finalists also include Darius, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Liberty X, Elvis V Junkie XL, Atomic Kitten and Ronan Keating.

Viewers will be able to cast their votes on the night.

Last year's winners were S Club 7 with their hit Don't Stop Movin'.

They scooped four awards apiece, including Best Band for Westlife and Best Male for Gareth.

The 18-year-old was also named Best Newcomer and Most Fanciable Male, while his spiky haircut won an award of its own.

Other winners included Blue, named Best UK Band and Best Live Act, and Liberty X, who won the Best Single award for Just A Little.

So Solid Crew won Best R&B/Garage Act, Pink was named Best Female and Sugababes scooped Best Album for Angels With Dirty Faces.

Pop fans packed the London Arena for the star-studded awards ceremony, co-hosted by T4's Vernon Kay and June Sarpong together with Kelly Osbourne.

Atomic Kitten, Ms Dynamite, S Club and Holly Valance were among the stars who performed at the awards.

The day's big losers were Christina Aguilera and Jade Goody.

Aguilera picked up gongs for having the worst dress sense and worst haircut in pop, while Jade's accolades included the Most Hideous award.

Westlife capped a winning afternoon by being inducted into the Smash Hits Hall of Fame.

The gigs take place at Blackpool, Ipswich and Middlesbrough on Friday November 15 at 7pm.

Also performing will be S Club Juniors, Liberty X, Busted, Zoe Birkett and Sarah Whatmore.

It coincides with the annual BBC1 event, hosted by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin.

The venues and acts are:

Blackpool - Atomic Kitten, Gareth Gates and Zoe Birkett
Presented by Richard Blackwood

Ipswich Town Football Club - S Club and S Club Juniors and Sarah Whatmore
Presented by Philippa Forrester

Middlesbrough Football Club - Sugababes, Liberty X and Busted
Presented by Roger Black and Angelica Bell

Gareth Gates is up against Will in two categories - top newcomer along with The Streets, Holly Valance, and Ms Dynamite, and top pop, against Atomic Kitten, Blue and Sugababes.

The star will be signing copies of his debut album What My Heart Wants To Say.

He is set to meet fans from noon to 2pm.

What My Heart Wants To Say is not selling as many copies as David Gray's New Day At Midnight.

The teenager visited the city's Virgin Megastore to promote What My Heart Wants To Say.

A heavy security and police presence was in force at the store to keep fans in place.

Gareth signed copies of the album and posed for photographs for 600 fans, some of who had queued for hours to get entry passes for the event.

He and Pop Idol winner Will Young are due to appear at the city's SECC.

Although only fans who had collected entry passes beforehand were allowed to meet the young heart-throb, scores of other fans waited outside the store to catch a glimpse of him.

The awards were voted for by the public.

But Gareth did pick up an award for Favourite TV Music Performance.

Gareth says the song will be more R&B than pop.

He says he expects the song to be released early next year.

"I'll change my name to be part of the crew, probably MC G," he told the News Of The World.

They will be joined by Anastacia, Enrique Iglesias, Shania Twain and Shirley Bassey.

Bob Monkhouse, Lee Mack and Omid Djalili will provide the comedy.

The show will also feature performances by the cast of Bombay Dreams and Our House, the new musical based on Madness songs.

The show takes place on December 2 at the Hammersmith Apollo in the presence of Prince Charles.

The song by the Spanish group Las Ketchup has been outselling The Long and Winding Road by three to one.

The cover of The Long and Winding Road by the Pop Idol duo had been number one in the singles chart for two weeks but slipped to number three.

The Pop Idol show also produced another two winners - hosts Ant and Dec, who took the award for best TV stars.

Manchester United and England captain David Beckham won best footballer of the year.

Atomic Kitten pipped Kylie Minogue and the Sugababes to win best female artist or group.

Blue won act of the year while Holly Valance took best single for Kiss Kiss.

Liberty X won best dance act and S Club Juniors best newcomer, while Monsters Inc won best film.

The awards, now in their fifth year, were presented at a ceremony in London's Docklands.

The two singers met the Prince backstage at the Wembley Arena venue, before he settled down to enjoy the performance, staged in aid of the Prince's Trust.

The duo added the extra date, at the north London venue, to their UK tour to raise money for the charity.

It was expected to raise more than £250,000 for the Trust, for which Will and Gareth are both celebrity ambassadors.

Gareth's ripped jeans and studded belt with his name emblazoned on it drew a comment from the Prince, who said: "I must remember to get my trousers distressed."

Asked by the Prince how he was enjoying chart success, Gareth enthused about his duo with Will, The Long and Winding Road, being at number one in the singles charts.

Gareth was then whisked off to be secured into a harness ready to be "flown" on to stage for the second half.

Will, who has performed in front of the Prince at Buckingham Palace this summer, as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, also said how good if felt to be at number one in the album charts with his debut release.

The pair, who are due to perform at venues from London to Glasgow as part of their tour, sang their number one hit plus material from both their long-awaited albums.

Pop Idol runner-up Zoe Birkett, 17, also sang, in support, at the concert.

Will and Gareth were originally scheduled to meet the Prince in April but that meeting was cancelled when the Queen Mother died.

He signed a £750,000 advertising deal with the drinks company just seven months ago.

But Pepsi has decided not to renew its one-year deal with the Pop Idol runner-up when it ends in March 2003.

A spokesman for Pepsi told Media Guardian: "We are always hopeful people will become superstars. But in the same way as our deal with Roy Keane ran its course, Gareth has done his job and he's been great.

"The partnership will come to a natural conclusion and we wish him all the best for the future."

Joining him on stage will be Atomic Kitten, Holly Valance, A1, Blue, Liberty X and S Club Juniors.

The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup is outselling the Pop Idols by two to one.

But there is good news for Will, whose debut album From Now On is set to go straight to the top of the album chart.

The Foo Fighters and S Club Juniors are also expected to be new entries in the singles chart, at numbers three and four respectively.

Avril Lavigne's Complicated is expected to drop to number five according to the latest figures from Virgin Megastores.

According to Heat magazine, the show will follow the stars as they learn to drive.

On the night of Red Nose Day (March 14), viewers will find out who actually managed to pass their driving test.

According to midweek sales figures The Long And Winding Road will hold on to the top spot for a second week.

Holly Valance is expected to enter the chart at number two.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Megastores told Ananova: "Will and Gareth are way ahead of Holly".

Avril Lavigne should stay at number three with Complicated.

The pair entered the singles chart at number one with The Long and Winding Road/Suspicious.

Oasis are at number two with Little By Little/She Is Love while Avril Lavigne is at three with Complicated.

Elvis Presley reinforced his seemingly infinite appeal, years after his death, by nailing the top spot in the album chart.

His compilation, ELV1S - 30 Number 1 Hits, follows up the single, A Little Less Conversation, which gave him the record for British number one singles.

Elsewhere in the album list, Bon Jovi entered the chart at number two with Bounce, while singer Pink is at three with Missundaztood.

Both albums by Coldplay remain in the top 20, while Peter Gabriel's long awaited new offering, Up, entered the chart at number 11.

They've got the fastest selling single in the country at the moment according to the latest sales figures from Virgin.

If The Long And Winding Road does enter the chart at in the top spot it'll be both singers third number one.

Oasis are currently in second place with Little By Little with Avril Lavigne is expected to make her UK chart debut at number three.

The current number one, Pink's Just Like A Pill, is in fourth place followed by Atomic Kitten's version of The Tide Is High at five.

The event takes place at the Natural History Museum in London tonight as part of London Fashion Week.

Awards categories include actor, actress, music star, TV star and model.

The second annual award ceremony will take place at the Manchester Evening News Arena on November 29.

Organisers say nine other acts will perform at the event as well as two special collaborations that will be kept a closely guarded secret until the night.

Pop fans will be able to vote for their favourite acts during November, and the awards will be shown on the BBC shortly after they take place. The nominations have not yet been announced.

Will says he's really looking forward to the awards:

"To be asked to perform at the Top Of The Pops Awards is fantastic," he said.

"The show is a bit like a national treasure - it should be good fun!"

Gareth added: "I can't wait to get out there and see all the fans. There's nothing better than seeing everyone shouting my name and getting a buzz out of my music, it's great."

Gareth says he expects the hype around the two groups to guarantee one of them the Christmas number one.

He says he watched the first edition of the show and thinks there is a lot of talent in the UK.

Will is set to perform Summertime, from Gershwin's Porgy And Bess, and Gareth will sing Beat Out That Rhythm On A Drum.

The concert takes place in London's Hyde Park on September 15, with a programme of popular classical tunes which will be familiar to youngsters.

Proms director Nicholas Kenyon said Will and Gareth help youngsters identify with the music and introduce a new generation to the concerts.

"We have to recognise there is no longer a dividing line between the classical and pop worlds. They're not in completely separate camps - there's an overlap," he said.

"We have to respond to what the audience listens to, and the audience's tastes are wider and more volatile than ever. They are just as happy with the Buena Vista Social Club as they are with the classical masterpieces."

But he added: "The Proms will always be a festival based on the great classical repertory."

He said this year the programme includes "world music, musicals and Flamenco, and they can coexist with Mahler, Bruckner and Boulez - that's what's happening on Radio 3."

In the past the Tweenies and Steps have made appearances at the CBBC event, which is held the day after the Last Night of the Proms.

The singer has been recruited by Pepsi as part of the UK unveiling of their new lemon-flavoured variety.

Pepsi Twist was first launched in the US.

Karen Goffe, from Pepsi, said: "Pepsi was the first to launch a lemon-flavoured cola in the States and the UK launch is the next step in a leading innovation programme."

He said he felt "uncomfortable" performing on the track Suspicious Minds.

The pair release their first joint single, The Beatles' The Long And Winding Road, on September 23.

The single is a double A-side which also features the Elvis Presley classic Suspicious Minds, sung by Gareth.

Will said: "Although I was invited to join Gareth to duet on Suspicious Minds, I was uncomfortable with the track and suggested he did it solo as it suits his voice well.

"It sounds fantastic and I hope both tracks go down equally well."

However he does perform a song on his own, Jackie Wilson's I Get The Sweetest Feeling, as a bonus track on the single.

Following the forthcoming release the two stars say they will "move on" to follow divergent career paths.

Will said: "After this, both Gareth and I will move on and take the different musical routes we both wish to follow."

Lilo And Stitch is about an Elvis Presley-loving alien who makes friends with a young Hawaiian girl.

It is due to hit UK cinemas on October 4.

The US version of the film's soundtrack album features Elvis hits including Heartbreak Hotel, Stuck On You, Devil In Disguise and Hound Dog.

They are both signed to his record label BMG.

The 18-year-old was greeted by screaming youngsters in Bradford's Centenary Square as he performed after being given a civic reception by the council.

Streets throughout the city centre were closed for the homecoming event which attracted families, groups of teenagers, pensioners and some loyal fans who had travelled from all over the north of England.

Even the occasional heavy shower did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds as Gareth was joined by his sister Nicola for a duet dedicated to his home town.

One city councillor, Phillip Thornton said: "He got a true Bradford welcome. It was a fantastic day.

"Even the rain didn't seem to put anyone off. He got a great reception and he went down really well.

"It was a great day for the city."

Gareth's homecoming was organised as part of Bradford's bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008, which the young star supports.

Speaking before the concert, he said: "Coming home to Bradford is always special as this is where my friends and family are."

"The support I've had locally means the world to me."

He knocked Gareth Gates off the top spot with his self-penned track Colourblind in the first week of its release.

The charity event is to be held at London's Wembley Arena on October 10.

Joining them at the gig will be another Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett.

Around 15,000 fans are expected at the concert in Centenary Square.

The concert is in celebration of Bradford's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Gareth will be performing his number one singles Unchained Melody and Stupid Mistake, plus a duet dedicated to Bradford with his sister Nicola Gates.

He reportedly turned down the chance to appear at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in favour of the Bradford event.

Gareth said: "Coming home to Bradford is always special as this is where my friends and family are. When travelling I'm proud to say I'm from Bradford and it means a lot to me that I can help raise the profile of my home town.

"The bid campaign is such a positive way of putting Bradford on the map and encourages younger people to get involved and feel proud of where they're from."

The event is free of charge, and will take place from 5pm in Centenary Square.

The teenage heart-throb from Bradford continued to dominate the chart with Any One of Us (Stupid Mistake) after managing to hold off S Club Juniors, whose new release Automatic High stormed into the number two slot.

Gates has previously enjoyed four weeks in poll position with his cover of Unchained Melody.

His second release becomes the fourth from Pop Idol to reach number one. Contest winner Will Young has also had two number ones.

But S Club Juniors' Automatic High and Shakira's Underneath Your Clothes are likely to debut inside the top three.

He continues to dominate the chart with Any One of Us (Stupid Mistake), after knocking Elvis Presley off the top slot last week.

The Pop idol runner-up previously enjoyed four weeks in poll position with his cover of Unchained Melody.

His second release becomes the fourth from Pop Idol to reach number one. Contest winner Will Young has also had two number ones.

The TV Pop Idol runner-up, currently number one in the singles charts, was presented to the Queen at a special Golden Jubilee garden party.

Gareth, 18, from Bradford, who struggles with a stutter when not singing, exchanged a few words with his royal host in the grounds of the Palace. Friends said later that he had not expected to be introduced to the Queen and was thrilled.

Gareth was accompanied at the Palace by his father, Paul Gates.

The garden party was for young achievers, born since the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Gareth's current single, Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake), sold 80,000 copies on the first day of release.

Later in the year, he is due to tour with Pop Idol winner Will Young.

Pop Idol runner-up Gates continued the show's chart domination with Any One of Us (Stupid Mistake), while Elvis Presley slipped to number three after four weeks at number 1.

Gates, whose song becomes the fourth from the TV contest to reach the top spot, has already enjoyed poll position in the singles charts with his cover of Unchained Melody.

Pop Idol winner Will Young has had two number ones.

A Little Less Conversation, remixed by Dutch DJ JXL, gave Elvis a total of 18 British number ones, breaking a record he had shared with the Beatles 25 years after his death.

But Gates's single ended the King's reign, as one of three new entries in the official top 10.

It failed to dislodge Irish Popstars winners Six and their second single Let Me Be The One.

Six, who are currently on their first tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland, are number one for the second week.

The Walls have the second highest debut with To The Bright And Shining Sun in at 11 and Bryan Adams debuts at 15 with Here I Am.

In March, Gareth's debut single Unchained Melody went straight into the Irish chart at number one.

He plans to release Suspicious Minds as part of a double A-side with Will Young.

The other main track will be their duet on the Beatles' song Long And Winding Road.

The Pop Idol judge says the move is a cynical attempt to fix the charts.

BMG stopped stocking stores with A Little Less Conversation last Friday.

They will sing alongside Pop Idol finalists Gareth Gates and Darius Danesh, at Free At The Dee.

The open air gig at Duthie Park has been organised by radio station Northsound to celebrate their 21st birthday.

Early indications show Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) is in line to become the fourth chart-topping single from the TV talent show.

The Bradford teenager has already scored at the top with his cover of Unchained Melody, while contest winner Will Young has had two number ones.

Gates, who was the Pop Idol runner-up, is understood to be way ahead of his nearest rival JXL who has had four weeks in the prized slot.

He is launching his own Gareth Cam on Smash Hits TV.

The Pop Idol runner-up will carry a personal camcorder everywhere he goes in the coming months.

The results will be on the Smash Hits channel daily at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm from Friday, June 21.

The channel can be seen in Sky Digital 451 and Telewest 330.

A Smash Hits spokesman said: "Gareth Cam will give an unrivalled, intimate look at all aspects of Gareth's life, be it rehearsing in the car on the way to shoots, backstage nerves, meeting up with mates or quiet moments at home."

They will team up for a version of The Beatles' Long And Winding Road.

But they're both so busy they've got to film each of their parts of the video separately and it will be edited together.

It will be hosted by Gary Lineker, Ulrika Jonsson and Jamie Theakston on Saturday July 13.

There will also be music from Alessandro Safina and appearances from an array of sporting personalities.

Safina's re-recording of the Elton John classic Your Song is the official Sport Relief single.

The night of Sport Relief will raise money for vulnerable children and young people in the UK and across the world.

The 17-year-old Pop idol runner-up has signed a deal with Virgin Books for a series of biographies.

The first is called Gareth Gates: The Official Book.

It will be released on July 8.

Wyclef Jean, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Beverley Knight and Liberty X have also joined the line-up.

Enrique Iglesias, Blue and Sophie Ellis-Bextor had previously been announced for the show on July 7.

The 100,000-capacity event in Hyde Park is already sold out.

It will raise money for the Prince's Trust and will be broadcast by Capital and by Channel 5.

It takes place at Swansea's Morfa Fields on June 16.

Joining the Pop Idol pair will be Destiny's Child, Lost Prophets, A and Mis-Teeq.

Presenters will be Radio 1 DJs Jamie Theakston, Sara Cox and Tim Westwood, with the show broadcast live on the station from 1pm to 4pm.

It will also be broadcast on BBC Choice the following Sunday at 7pm, featuring Lisa Snowdon doing backstage interviews.

The full One Big Sunday line up is:

Anyone Of Us (Big Mistake) was specially written for Gareth by Jorgen Elofsson, Per Magnusson and David Krueger.

They have previously penned number ones for Westlife.

The Pop Idol runner-up has been confirmed as the headline act at the city's Party In The Park.

The singer previously admitted to being besotted with her.

But he admits he still has a soft spot for the newly-unattached Britney Spears.

Gates told Top Of The Pops magazine: "I have to say I'm over Rachel now - I've moved on.

"Not in a nasty way, it's just that it was a crush when I was younger. I don't have a crush on anyone at the moment. I just wanna focus on my career really, although Britney is an exception."

He says he is on the look out for a 'classy' girlfriend.

"I want a bird who's really classy. She has to be able to look good in jeans or a dress."

Gareth flew into Los Angeles last night.

He says he likes America because no-one recognises him.

His assistant told the Daily Record: "We're not here to do a video. We're here to discuss business ventures for Gareth."

It will be replaced by a gig at Ipswich's Chantry Park on July 14.

Other events One Big Sunday events take place in Swansea on June 16, Falkirk on August 11 and Leicester on September 8.

Artists set to appear at the free summer gigs include Kosheen, Blue, Mis-Teeq, Will Young and Gareth Gates.

Which acts play at which dates has not yet been announced.

A spokesman for Radio 1 said: "We're really pleased our line up is now complete. We are only sorry that we cannot now come to Manchester but there were problems that despite their efforts, the local council were simply unable to resolve in time.

"Ipswich is a great alternative and the event there looks set to be brilliant."

The full One Big Sunday line up is:

Songs include Will Young and Gareth Gates' number one singles and Darius Danesh singing It's Not Unusual.

It will be screened on ITV1 on Saturday at 5.40pm.

The show took place at London Arena on April 6 in aid of the Prince's Trust.

It finishes with all 10 finalists singing Frank Sinatra's My Way.

Ant and Dec will present the 90-minute show.

The songs to be shown on the ITV broadcast include:

Questions from 50 viewers will be answered for the live two-hour Blue Peter show, which will also feature live pop acts including Gareth Gates.

The Blue Peter programme will be broadcast live from Birmingham's Centenary Square for two hours, the first time the show has mounted such a long and ambitious outdoor broadcast.

The BBC is putting up huge screens in 10 major locations around the UK to allow up to 80,000 people a day to watch coverage of the jubilee. They will also show events from the BBC's Music Live celebrations, World Cup matches and other sporting fixtures.

The Hindu Times is the group's first release for nearly two years.

Gareth Gates slips to fourth place behind new entries by NSync and Doves.

The Pop Idol runner-up spent four weeks at the top with his cover of Unchained Melody.

The trio will join music's big earners after announcing the 14-date tour called Will Gareth.

They are also set to make a fortune from merchandise and record sales on top of earnings from tickets, reports the Sun.

Will and Gareth are signed to Simon Cowell's BMG label and Zoe is expected to follow soon.

The full dates are as follows:

It will start in October with 16-year-old fellow Pop Idol finalist Zoe Birkett in support.

The tour will kick off with two dates at London Arena on October 3 and 4.

The first festival takes place in Swansea on June 16 with Will Young, Gareth Gates, Blue, Mis-teeq and Kosheen.

The Hindu Times has so far outsold its nearest rival, There Goes The Fear by fellow Manchester band Doves.

Virgin Megastore says Gareth Gates' cover of Unchained Melody is on course to drop to third place.

He will be appearing at Feel The Noise Live at Lancashire County Cricket Club's Old Trafford ground.

The Pop Idol runner-up will be one of a number of acts performing at the five-hour concert on July 19.

No other acts have yet been announced.

The Pop Idol runner-up held the top spot for three weeks in Ireland.

But he has now been replaced by the Canadian band with their single How You Remind Me.

Gareth's Unchained Melody has dropped to number three, with Whenever Wherever by Shakira a non-mover at number two.

His cover version of Unchained Melody has now been in the top spot a week longer than Will Young's Anything Is Possible/Evergreen.

Gareth says having a fourth week at number one is "really cool".

The success of Unchained Melody was underlined as its closest challengers faded into the background.

But she says he is not desperate for a date with her.

Instead Gareth says he is going to let Britney and Shakira fight over him.

Gareth is currently taking a break from being photographed as the new face of Pepsi in a £750,000 deal.

He will appear on Pepsi bottles and 12-pack cans in the summer, and in a further campaign at Christmas.

She told Ananova she's had no time to see him or Will Young because she's promoting the Pop Idol album.

Zoe and Gareth have denied they are going out even though they admit they are close.

She said: "I did a radio interview with Gareth yesterday but we're both so busy we only really had chance to say hello.

"But I speak to him on the phone nearly every day and send him loads of text messages.

"Will's taking a break at the moment so I haven't really had chance to catch up with him."

Zoe says she is to concentrate on the big band sound following the recent Pop Idol tour.

She says singing with a live orchestra is what she does best.

And she is looking to release her version of Judy Garland's Get Happy hit as a single.

The track is featured on Pop Idol The Big Band Album, which was released on Monday.

Zoe adds that she's flattered by all the attention she's been getting from fans.

"Being in the spotlight is brilliant. I'm really flattered that so many people recognise me in the street but I don't feel any different. I'd say I've learnt a lot more about myself and matured. I'm now much more confident as a performer," she said.

"I've been surprised by the long hours I've had to work. But there's been no big shocks about the pop industry yet. I'm still waiting."

X-Press 2 and David Byrne's Lazy looks set to debut at number two.

Faithless featuring Dido should be a new entry at number four with One Step Too Far.

1 Giant Leap's My Culture featuring Robbie Williams and Maxi Jazz looks set to debut at number eight.

Britney's new single, I'm Not a Girl Not Yet a Woman, was the highest new entry to the singles chart at number two.

But Gareth's debut single, a cover of Unchained Melody, held on to the top spot for the third consecutive week.

Will Young slipped to number eight in the charts with his debut single and former number one Anything is Possible/Evergreen.

But it was bad news for Staines bad boy Ali G.

Revelations of the Queen Mother's impressions of the star failed to boost sales for the his debut single Me Julie, which slipped two places in this week's chart to number four, behind Shakira in third place with Whenever Wherever.

He's 5/1 with online betting firm Blue Square, closely followed by Will Young at 8/1.

Joining Will on the same odds are Westlife and Blue, with Robbie Williams at 10/1.

He is currently selling twice as many copies as Britney Spears' new single I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman.

Ali G and Shakira are fighting for third place, according to HMV.

Winner Will Young and runner-up Gareth Gates signed a flag bearing the cross of St George.

The aim is to get a million signatures on the flag - making it the world's largest fan flag.

It will then be sold for charity.

Will and Gareth were joined by other finalists, including Zoe, Hayley and Korben, for the signing.

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson launched the initiative last week which is backed by the Football Association and England team sponsor the Nationwide Building Society.

And lead singer Tjinder Singh thinks they are the only band prepared to rally against it.

Cornershop's new album Handcream For A Generation is out now.

The 17-year-old stays at number one with his version of Unchained Melody - the only song to have made it to number one for four different artists.

Gareth last week became the youngest British male solo star to notch up a number one.

Ali G and Shaggy are at number two with Me Julie, while Shakira moved up to number three with Whenever Wherever.

Will Young has slipped to number four with his debut release, the former number one Anything is Possible/Evergreen.

The chart's highest new entry was Missy Elliott, who came in at number five with 4 My People. George Michael's comeback single FreeeK! has slipped to number 17 after entering the charts at number seven last week.

He says the idea of creating a band on a television series is "weird".

The former Boyzone singer adds that he is concerned by the way Will Young and Gareth Gates have been marketed.

The Bradford star's cover of Unchained Melody is outselling the likes of Missy Elliott.

Will Young's debut single is likely to slip to number four, according to midweek sales figures.

George Michael's comeback single Freeek! is set to fall to number 17.

Basement Jaxx's remix of Missy Elliott's 4 My People looks set to enter the charts at number five.

They reached 130 decibels when the Bradford singer was performing at the Sheffield Arena's Pop Idol concert.

This makes them the loudest recorded fans in the history of pop.

The sound is almost as loud as standing 40 feet away from a supersonic jet.

The screams for Will Young reached 120 decibels - eight decibels less than the noise made by fans of Hear'Say last September.

And both sets of Pop Idol fans topped the decibel-readings for former chart idols Take That, Boyzone and Bros.

He is one of the icon's behind the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008.

Bradford is one of 12 cities presenting their campaigns to the Government today

She says she has been "crying buckets" since her son reached the UK number one spot.

Gareth celebrated his achievement with his close family at a party in Birmingham.

Huge sales of his single Unchained Melody have all but guaranteed the 17-year-old Bradford schoolboy the number one spot.

Gates would become Britain's youngest male to bag a number one and the fastest selling teenager in the 50 years of the pop charts with his cover version of the Righteous Brothers classic.

It is thought Gates has sold in the region of one million records, nearly as much as Young who shifted 1.1 million copies of his single in his first week.

Will and Gareth are currently on a tour of the country with the other eight finalists from Pop Idol.

Will called Gareth onto the stage at the NEC in Birmingham in front of 12,500 fans to make a special presentation.

Will said: "I have in my hand a very special award from the Guinness Book of Hit Singles with the record for the youngest and biggest selling solo British artist."

Gareth said: "It has always been my dream to have a number one hit and to be living it here, on stage, in front of some of the people who have made it possible, as well as all the other Pop Idol finalists, is an amazing feeling."

News that Gareth had wrestled top spot from the Pop Idol winner came as little surprise to those at tonight's show.

Danni James, 16, of Loughborough Road, Coventry, said: "I thought he would get it and it's really good. I bought Will's single when it came out and then I bought Gareth's."

Hazel and Claire Hopewell, of Gordon Lane, Birmingham, brought with them to the concert a double-sided banner - one side devoted to Will and the other to Gareth.

Hazel said: "I wanted to come last night but we couldn't get in I am really glad we were here tonight so I could see him get the award - that was lovely of Will."

The 17-year-old's debut release has ousted Will Young from the top slot after three weeks.

Unchained Melody is the only song to have made it to number one for four different artists.

Gareth is understood to have sold in the region of 900,000 copies of his single, compared to Will's first week sales of 1.1 million which made his release the fastest-selling debut of all time.

Meanwhile, George Michael's single Freeek! has entered at number seven, behind new entries from Marilyn Manson and Blue. It is Michael's first solo single for more than three years.

Gareth is performing at Birmingham's NEC along with the rest of the Pop Idol finalists as part of a national tour. Will is handing over a special award from Guinness World Records, which compiles the book of British Hit Singles, to mark his number one.

Gareth, from Bradford, succeeds Craig David as the youngest British male solo chart-topper. He was just 19 when he had a number one with Fill Me In April 2000.

David Roberts, editor of the Guinness book, said: "This is not just a terrific achievement for Gareth, becoming the youngest British male solo artist to have a number one single, but also an astonishing accolade for Unchained Melody.

"According to the British Hit Singles book, it is now the only song to have been taken to number one by four different artists on four separate occasions - and Simon Cowell has been behind two of them with Robson and Jerome in 1995 and now Gareth Gates."

The other stars to have number one hits with Unchained Melody are Sir Jimmy Young in 1955 and the Righteous Brothers in 1990 when the song - originally a hit for them in 1965 - was reissued after featuring in the movie Ghost.

The Pop Idol runner-up plans to move away from his family in Bradford.

But Gareth promises he won't forget his roots.

The former Beatle will pocket more than the Pop Idol runner-up himself because his company owns the publishing rights to Unchained Melody - the single which is set to take Gates to number one at the weekend.

McCartney, who is reportedly worth more than £1 billion, bought the rights to the song made famous by the Righteous Brothers 10 years ago.

He gets a payment every time the record is played and, with the huge success of Gates's version, music experts predict McCartney will earn more than £1 million.

One told the Daily Express: "Paul owns a company called MPL Collections which is one of the biggest music publishers in the world.

"Ten years ago he bought up a job lot of songs and they now own the rights to more than 25,000 songs.

"They include all of Buddy Holly's tracks and, of course, Unchained Melody.

"It's hard to predict exactly how much cash it will generate but we're talking well over a million quid by the time it all adds up.

"Gareth should get around £225,000 this week. But because he's tied up with a complex Pop Idol deal, he's probably on even less than that."

Gates, from Bradford, is set to replace Pop Idol winner Will Young at the top of the charts on Sunday.

BMG managing director Ged Doherty has spoken out after claims the record company were favouring Gareth Gates over Will.

He says both Will and Gareth are "very special talents."

The original plan was to ask viewers to vote out their least favourite of the 10 finalists each week.

But the voting system was changed after an email campaign was launched to "vote out the stammerer."

Pop Idol creator Nigel Lythgoe says "the rest is just history."

Gareth went on to reach the grand final, and was eventually runner-up to Will Young.

Lythgoe - dubbed 'Nasty Nigel' after judging on Popstars - said: "I believed Pop Idol would be as successful as Popstars but everybody was worried it wouldn't hold the audience as it had a 21 week run.

"Then we had a panic over the voting. Originally it was going to be vote for the one you wanted to be eliminated out of the final 10.

"There was this huge email campaign to vote 'the stammerer off.' It would have only taken a few thousand people to have voted Gareth Gates off. So we changed the system to keep people in. The rest is just history."

Lythgoe also dismissed speculation that contestant Rik Waller was paid off after suffering a throat infection. "Rik dropped out and he was given one week's grace. We knew if we dropped him the press would turn on us.

"It couldn't have turned out better. We put in the person who was third in his heat - which was Darius Danesh from Popstars."

The show's presenter says Gareth's debut single should not have come out so soon after Will's.

Gareth is almost certain to replace Will at number one in the UK singles chart on Sunday with his cover of Unchained Melody.

Evergreen/Anything Is Possible has spent three weeks at number one and racked up sales of 1.1 million in its first week, making it the fastest selling single of all time.

However, Gareth is hoping Unchained Melody will break that record after it sold around a quarter of a million copies on its release day.

Although he is still a shade behind the numbers which Will had achieved at this stage during his first week, industry insiders say it is possible he could pull back.

Some retailers reported stock shortages for Will's single by the weekend, but far more copies of Gareth's release have been sent to stores to avoid such problems.

The Bradford teenager has proved more popular in the north of England, with stores such as Leeds and Newcastle registering massive sales.

He and Will are currently on stage on the Pop Idol Tour, where they perform alongside the other eight Pop Idol finalists.

On Tuesday, Gareth was forced to ditch his duet with Zoe Birkett after the 16-year-old from Darlington dropped out with tonsillitis.

Zoe is expected to be recovered for the rest of the tour.

He says he has known Will is gay since the pair got through to the finals of the ITV show.

The singer says Will has never kept his homosexuality a secret and thinks it's "no big deal".

More than 300,000 copies of Unchained Melody were sold on the first day of its release.

The figure was boosted beyond expectations when young fans bought it after lessons had finished.

HMV chart expert Gennaro Castaldo said: "What we didn't expect was an absolutely massive surge in sales of Gareth's single from around 4.30pm, when all the kids got off school."

But Gareth still failed to beat Will Young's first day sales record of 385,000 copies.

George Michael's new single Freeek! clocked up the second biggest sales of the day, followed by Will Young, Marilyn Manson and Ali G.

Mr Castaldo says Gates' single could still eclipse Will's weekly sales record of 1.1 million copies if it sells consistently during the week and at the weekend.

And it should still comfortably pass the 750,000 first week sales of Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas? to become the second most successful debut single of all time.

Gareth is to release his debut single which could be an even bigger seller than Will's Anything Is Possible/Evergreen which has been number one for the past three weeks.

Orders from retailers for the 17-year-old's cover of Unchained Melody have led his record company BMG to press up 1.3 million copies initially.

Will's release has sold around 1.5 million.

The Bradford teenager will also be up against his musical hero George Michael who was releasing a comeback single, Freeek!.

Bookies William Hill are offering odds of 1/9 that Unchained Melody will be number one and 10/1 that it will stay at the top of the chart for eight weeks or more.

Gareth narrowly lost out on the Pop Idol crown to Will but he was immediately offered a recording contract with BMG and his success looks assured.

He has already signed a six-figure deal with Pepsi, which counts Britney Spears among its line-up.

Gareth and Will have been thrilling thousands of fans as part of a nationwide Pop Idol Tour, which kicked off at Wembley Arena last Thursday. All 10 finalists from the ITV1 series have taken part in the show, which is hosted by judge Nicki Chapman.

The 21-date tour will visit Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle before ending with a special Royal Command performance. The Pop Idols will perform in front of the Prince of Wales at a concert in aid of The Prince's Trust on April 6.

But this will not beat Will Young's first day sales of 385,000.

Gates is also unlikely to beat Will's first week sales of 1.1million, but is guaranteed to reach the number one position with his cover of Unchained Melody.

The Pop Idol runner-up's single is on target to sell around 800,000 copies in its first week. It would place his song as the second fastest selling single of all time behind his rival Will.

HMV chart expert Gennaro Castaldo says Gareth's single has performed far more strongly in the north of England than the south.

First day sales of Unchained Melody are matching those of Will's Evergreen in Leeds and Newcastle.

There have also been unprecedented scenes in the HMV branch of Gareth's home city of Bradford.

By 8.30am the store had sold 250 copies, and by 10.30am it had reached 1000.

By the end of trading the store manager, Andy Baxter, is expected to have sold in excess of 2000.

Music industry experts say he could break the record for the biggest first day sales.

The HMV store in Gareth's home town of Bradford opened early so fans could buy his cover of Unchained Melody.

Fans had formed a queue outside the store by 6am, and within minutes of the doors opening at 8am, 250 had bought copies.

Gareth looks certain to go straight to number one.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "This is going to be bigger than Will Young - we could be looking at a Candle In The Wind effect today."

Fellow Pop Idol finalist Will shifted 385,000 copies of his single with first day sales. The one-day sales record is held by Elton John's Princess Diana tribute Candle In The Wind '97 with 658,000.

Mr Castaldo said: "This is going to be huge. Gareth could well exceed Will's first week sales of 1.1 million, a record for a debut single. Our stores around the country have reported queues."

Unchained Melody already holds a record as the only song to be taken to number one by three different artists. It has topped the charts for Sir Jimmy Young, The Righteous Brothers and Robson And Jerome.

Will has been number one for three weeks with Evergreen/Anything Is Possible.

He hung on to the number one position with his double A-side single Anything Is Possible/Evergreen.

But Me Julie, a duet between Shaggy and Ali G, has debuted at number two, pushing Shakira down into the third slot.

Ali G's crack at the single charts follows his foul-mouthed outburst on Radio 1, during which he called Will a "batty boy", derogatory slang for a homosexual.

The release by the Will has notched up phenomenal sales and has already entered the record books as the fastest selling UK single of all time.

During last week it outsold Ali G's release by around two to one.

But it now looks as if Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates will challenge Will for the number one slot when he releases his debut single Unchained Melody on Monday.

Retailers believe that Gareth's single could be an even bigger seller than Will's track.

Orders from shops have led the record company BMG to press up 1.3 million copies initially - 100,000 more than for Will's release.

Gareth will also be racing his musical hero George Michael to the number one position as he will be releasing a comeback single, Freeek!, on the same day.

The 17-year-old should notch up a number one with his cover of Unchained Melody, which could be an even bigger seller than Will's Evergreen/Anything Is Possible.

Orders from retailers have led the record company BMG to press up 1.3 million copies of Gareth's single initially - 100,000 more than Will's release.

The Bradford teenager will also be up against his musical hero George Michael who is releasing a comeback single, Freeek!.

Bookies William Hill are offering odds of 1/9 that Unchained Melody will be number one next week, and 10/1 that it will stay at the top of the chart for eight weeks or more.

Meanwhile, Will is expected to hold on to the top spot for a third week with his single, which has sold more than 1.5 million copies so far.

Gareth narrowly lost out on the Pop Idol crown but he was immediately offered a recording contract with BMG and his success looks assured.

He has already signed a six-figure deal with drinks giant Pepsi, which counts pop superstars like Britney Spears among its line-up.

Unchained Melody, which Gareth performed in the final stages of Pop Idol, is the only song to have been taken to number one by three different acts.

He sent him a magnum of champagne with a note saying the Pop Idol runner-up would be number one.

George's comeback single Freeek and Gareth's debut Unchained Melody are both released on Monday.

Thousands of fans greeted the pair as they performed a string of hits on the first date of their nationwide tour at London's Wembley Arena.

After performances from the other eight finalists from the TV series, including Aaron Bayley, Korben and Jessica Garlick, Gareth came on stage to perform his single, Unchained Melody.

The 17-year-old followed that up by taking to the piano for a slushy duet with Zoe Birkett.

There were rumours of romance between them after Gareth broke down in tears when Zoe was voted off the show, but the pair insist they are just good friends.

That performance was followed by the main event when Will came on stage to an ecstatic welcome from the 11,000 strong crowd.

He opened with Doors classic Light My Fire, then a rendition of his number one hit, Evergreen.

Will, 23, admitted last week that he was gay but judging by the screams from the predominantly female audience the disclosure has done nothing to dent his popularity.

His single, a double A side with Anything Is Possible, looks set to hold on to the number one spot for a third week and has shifted more than 1.5 million copies so far.

The crowd at the sellout show ranged from the very young to the middle aged and the banner-waving fans looked evenly split between Gareth and Will.

He will be joined by runner-up Gareth Gates and the other eight finalists for the first date of the Pop Idol Tour at London's Wembley Arena.

Fans snapped up 18,000 tickets for the first two Wembley gigs in just two-and-a-half hours.

It will be Will's first public performance since he revealed he was gay but the revelation has failed to dent his appeal to the record-buying public.

His single Evergreen/Anything Is Possible looks set to hold on to the number one spot for a third week and has shifted 1.5 million copies so far.

Gareth, who releases his debut single Unchained Melody on Monday, will perform a duet with fellow finalist Zoe Birkett.

There were rumours of romance between them after Gareth broke down in tears when Zoe was voted off the show, but the pair have insist they are just good friends.

Other familiar faces performing on the tour will be Jessica Garlick, Rosie Ribbons and Darius Danesh.

The 21-date tour will visit Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle before ending with a special Royal Command performance.

The Pop Idols will perform in front of the Prince of Wales at a concert in aid of The Prince's Trust on April 6.

He says he is "mentally handicapped in some ways from years of drugs and alcohol."

Manson releases his cover of Tainted Love on Monday, the same day Gates releases his cover of Unchained Melody.

Tainted Love has been given the Single Of The Week accolade in this week's editions of NME and Kerrang!

It is taken from the soundtrack to Not Another Teen Movie.

He says Gareth Gates should have beaten Will Young.

Cowell says he "pushed for him to win from day one."

He says he has known Will is gay since the pair got through to the finals of the ITV show.

The singer says Will has never kept his homosexuality a secret and thinks it's "no big deal".

He told the Sun: "I have always known about him. It's no big deal for him or for us. He's still the Will that we all know and love.

"I think it was really brave for him to come out to everyone."

Gareth adds he has turned to God to help him come to terms with his new life.

He said: "Church is something that is always there for you. You are able to go to it in times of need, when you haven't got anywhere to turn.

"It is really good to have something there where you can get the answers. I have been there a lot recently."

Gareth has just been named as the new face of Pepsi with a £750,000 deal.

UK retailers have pre-ordered 1.3 million copies of the Pop Idol runner-up's first release.

The single Unchained Melody is expected to top the charts following its release on March 18.

But HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said it could receive stiff competition from George Michael's new single Freeek, and Insatiable, the debut single from former Savage Garden singer Darren Haynes.

Marilyn Manson's cover of Tainted Love, which Soft Cell took to number one in 1981, is also released on the same day.

Cowell admitted he wanted runner-up Gareth Gates to win Pop Idol, and was disappointed when Will pipped him at the post.

Galaxi Music say his remarks show 'how biased he was as a judge of the competition'.

Galaxi's Managing Director Ross Hemsworth told Ananova: "To openly admit what most of us already knew - that he was pushing Gareth to win - shows how biased he was as a judge of the competition. It also shows that the UK record companies can't see further then the end of their noses.

"Anyone who knows anything about music could see that Will's voice is far superior to Gareth's and a lot more versatile, but as usual, the British record companies continue to sign people on looks for the bubblegum pop marketplace, and then they complain that foreign territory sales are down.

"Will Young has real talent, and could be a worldwide smash in the right hands. He should be developed as an album artiste with credible material, and not thrown to the lions the way he is right now.

"It seems from the recent publicity, that his advisors are not helping build a career with longevity, and this real talent could sink without trace.

"Gareth meanwhile, will be promoted heavily and will get the full backing of his label, and being on the same label as Will, this must be seen as a conflict of interests by Cowell.

"There must be a good lawyer who could get Will out of that contract and to a label that will give him the support that a talent of his stature deserves."

The Pop Idol runner-up follows in the footsteps of Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and David Beckham.

Gareth is being lined up to appear on Pepsi cans and bottles.

They are to perform a fund-raising event for his charity The Prince's Trust as part of their national tour.

Will Young, Gareth Gates and the eight other finalists from the ITV1 show will be on the bill at the London Arena on April 6.

The concert is hoped to raise more than £250,000 for the charity which helps 14 to 30-year-olds to turn their lives around.

Will said today: "It is a huge honour and a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to perform in front of Prince Charles and fund raise for such a great cause.

"Although we've all had great training in controlling our nerves after weeks in front of the judges and a huge TV audience, I'm sure that this will be the ultimate test."

Gareth said: "We all hope that the Prince enjoys himself, and that we are able to raise enough money to help make a difference to the lives of some of the people involved in the Trust."

Both singers visited the Trust this week to meet some of the young people on one of the charity programmes in east London.

Tom Shebbeare, chief executive of The Prince's Trust, said: "Meeting Will and Gareth earlier this week was fantastic - they spent ages chatting with the team, all from Tower Hamlets, and they went down a storm."

Will Young is also on the bill of one of the Queen's Golden Jubilee concerts at Buckingham Palace on June 3.

Gareth goes head to head with his pop hero when they both release singles on March 18.

George's single Freeek! is his first in over two years.

In an interview to be screened by GMTV on Friday Gareth says: "George's a huge star and I'm up against someone like that.

"I've really tried my best on the vocal and on the video and hopefully that's going to be enough to go to number one and even if it doesn't, I've enjoyed the whole experience and I will keep on trying and working hard."

Gareth's single Unchained Melody will be accompanied by a video filmed in Florida, his first trip to the US.

"It was an awesome experience. It was the first time I have really felt like a proper pop star," he said.

Gareth, who braved his way through Pop Idol despite suffering a lifelong stammer, said he hoped his success on the show would inspire others.

"I'm really pleased that one of the things that has come out of the Pop Idol experience is that I have been an inspiration to many people - I have wanted to help people all my life, people with disabilities in their speech, for instance.

"I haven't let anything stand in the way of my dream and I think people have seen that in me. People have been able to say, 'Look, here's a guy who has something wrong with him, but he's still working really hard on his dream' - so I have inspired people in that way and it does feel really good to have done that."

The Pop Idol finalist has recorded a version of Unchained Melody.

Unchained Melody is the only song to have been taken to number one by three different acts.

It is tipped to make it a fourth time when Gareth releases it on March 18.

The BBC Radio 2 presenter said of Gareth's choice today: "He obviously knows a good song when he sees one."

The track has subsequently been taken to number one by the Righteous Brothers and Robson And Jerome.

Robson Green and Jerome Flynn sang it on their TV series Soldier, Soldier and were given a record deal on the strength of their performance.

Unchained Melody was originally written for the 1955 movie Unchained by Hy Zaret and Alex North starring Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch and Barbara Hale. Baritone Todd Duncan, famed for his role in Porgy And Bess, sang it in the film.

Many acts clamoured to record it and it was a hit for four acts in the UK that year with Sir Jimmy the only one to top the charts.

The Righteous Brothers failed to make it past number 14 when they first issued the song in 1965. But it topped the charts 15 years later after it featured in the soundtrack to the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost.

The Pop Idol runner-up drove to Rochdale with his father Paul to spend the afternoon with young fan Robyn Brooks.

He is helping her family's campaign to raise more than £500,000 for pioneering treatment in America.

Gareth's aunt Angie Baker and family friend Maxine Wardman have also helped arrange a fundraising concert at Bradford nightclub Pennington's on March 11.

A host of former Pop Idol contestants have offered their support, including Gareth's 16-year-old sister Nicola.

Gareth's mum Wendy said Gareth won't be able to make it to the concert but he is planning to make a donation.

It is a cover of the Righteous Brothers' hit Unchained Melody.

The song will be the Pop Idol runner-up's debut single on Simon Cowell's label BMG.

It looks set to be challenged in the UK singles chart by George Michael's comeback track Freeek, which is released the same day.

The show, called Will Young - Pop Idol, was recorded earlier in the week.

Gareth and Rachel sing You Are Everything, Gareth also duets with Will on The Beatle's Long and Winding Road.

All of the last five contestants will perform in the show. Will also duets with Hayley while Darius sings It's Not Unusual.

He wore a white suit and snakeskin cowboy boots for the shoot in Florida.

In the video, a crowd builds up as Gareth sings Unchained Melody in the middle of a busy junction.

The Pop Idol runner-up will release Unchained Melody on March 18, the same day as George Michael's comeback single Freeek.

Will Young has been filming his first video in Cuba.

The double A-side single Evergreen and Anything Is Possible is out on February 25.

They will both release their much-anticipated records on March 18.

It had been thought George might change the release date of his comeback single Freeek to avoid clashing.

Auditions for the second series could begin as early as next month.

The 16-year-old from Bradford has already sung live at local sports matches.

He will also appear in a charity competition at local nightclub Penningtons Live on February 28.

Danny says his family are still trying to get over the disappointment of Gareth being edged out in the Pop Idol final.

Wendy Gates says the family have been "overwhelmed" by the support of people in their home city of Bradford.

The Sun says Gareth's first single will be released on March 18.

It's thought Gareth's single will also include his versions of Evergreen and Anything Is Possible, which Will Young will release as his debut single.

Cowell had backed Gareth Gates throughout the competition.

His record label has now signed both finalists.

He says Will and Gareth's material will be aimed at slightly different audiences.

Cowell told ITV's This Morning: "We'll be launching Will for a slightly older audience while Gareth's going after a younger more 'Westlife' audience."

Speaking about the controversy surrounding the phone vote, Cowell said he didn't think the show was rigged in favour of Will: "I'm guessing with nine million calls registered, there could have been some kind of weird things going on, but it was a fair vote, and the best guy on the night won."

The show's producers are believed to be in talks with American TV companies about making a US version of Pop Idol.

Cowell said he would consider being a judge for the show but he would "hate the idea of doing an American version if I'm perceived as a git."

They are also using the time to relax after the trials and tribulations of ITV's Pop Idol competition.

Both contestants have been given record deals with 19 management.

A spokeswoman for 19 told Ananova: "Will and Gareth are both abroad in secret locations filming videos for their debut singles.

"It's also giving them time to chill out after the Pop Idol competition.

"I can't tell you how long they're going to be there, we're just hoping the press don't find them."

Will Young is due to release his debut single on February 25.

It will be a double A-side featuring Westlife's Evergreen with Anything Is Possible, written by Cathy Dennis.

The details of Gareth's debut are unknown at present.

Judge and record producer Simon Cowell said there was no way he was going to let the 17-year-old, who won the nation's heart, get away.

Gareth had gone in to the Pop Idol grand final as favourite but lost with 4.1 million votes compared to 4.6 million for winner Will Young.

The Bradford youngster, who battled with a stammer throughout the 18-week competition, struggled to get his words out as emotion over took him after the result.

But Simon, who will also work with Will, told the ITV aftershow party he would be working with Gareth, 100%.

He added: "If you think I will let some other record company sign this guy up, yeah right.

"The news about Gareth is that with one week there will be an announcement as to what and when his first record will be released and there will be some very, very exciting news attached to that."

Simon also confirmed that Will's debut double A-side record Evergreen and Anything is Possible is already in production.

The 10 Pop Idol finalists are to come together again to perform two sell-out concerts at Wembley Arena on March 14 and 15.

The duo play football with Robbie, and say he has been voting for Will every Saturday.

Ironically, rival Gareth Gates named Robbie his own pop idol and even borrowed a suit from him for one round of the knockout show.

A host of other UK stars have offered their views on tonight's Pop Idol finalists.

William Young has gained the approval of Posh Spice, Robbie Williams, Michelle Collins and Myleene Klass who thinks 'he's got the best voice'.

Gareth Gates is being supported by Richard and Judy, Westlife, Denise Van Outen and former Steps singer Faye Tozer who thinks he has 'real potential'.

Paul Scanlon, a minister at the Abundant Life Church, Bradford, has appeared in magazines and TV programmes across Europe with the message "a vote for Gareth is a vote for God."

Gareth and his parents are members of Scanlon's Abundant Life Centre and the singer was once head choir boy at Bradford Cathedral.

Looking clearly disappointed, Gareth worked hard to get his words out.

He said he hoped to have a single of his own out within the next few months as show hosts told him to expect a record deal soon.

The teenager, who was joined for the backstage interview by his mother, added: "I wanted to win. So it's all kinds of mixed emotions at the moment."

Asked if he was offered a contract from judge Simon Cowell, he said simply "Yes".

Gareth had gone into the final as the bookie's 2/7 favourite.

Each received 50% of the 9,000-plus votes in the NTL online poll.

Gareth remains the bookies' odds-on favourite to win the public vote.

Producers say the Pop Idol favourite appears to have conquered his stammer.

Gareth reportedly doesn't struggle for words once during the interview.

Gareth's Pop Idol rival Will Young also appears on the show, to be screened at 10.30pm on Channel 4.

"Ooh! Look at Chatty Cathy. He gets his voice back, and now he won't shut up," Norton tells Gareth during the interview.

The 17-year-old is feeling unwell after an endless round of interviews to boost his Pop Idol chances.

A spokeswoman for the show says it is hoped Gareth will be feeling better later today.

She refused to go into details about Gareth's health.

Gareth was due to make an appearance in London's Leicester Square, prior to an interview with Capital FM DJ and Pop Idol judge Dr Fox.

Today is the final day of campaigning, with Gareth and his rival Will Young moving on to rehearsals tomorrow.

Viewers will decide after Saturday's show which of the pair lands the top prize of a potentially lucrative record deal.

Retailer Woolworths today gave its support to the stars by selling chocolate Pop Idol lollipops, with fans able to buy Will or Gareth versions.

He says he has been offered a place at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Gareth says if nothing comes from his appearances on Pop Idol he will study opera.

The 17-year-old singer had to axe a number of appearances after feeling unwell, throwing his future in the contest into doubt.

But he is set to wind up his campaign tonight ready to begin rehearsals for Saturday's ITV1 final, in which he will compete with fellow finalist Will Young for a record deal.

A Pop Idol spokeswoman said: "He is now back in action and feels much better - he didn't want to disappoint his fans or miss out on any of the last-minute campaigning."

It is thought the singer had been laid low with a migraine after a hectic few days of appearances aimed at rallying his support.

Rival Will was coaxed into an impromptu performance by fans as he made an appearance at a west London radio studio, performing Night Fever, one of the tracks he has sung in the closing heats.

"They have been mobbed wherever they have been in the last few days," said the spokeswoman.

Tomorrow they will begin work on their performances for Saturday's climactic final in which millions of votes are expected to be logged by viewers.

Details of a national tour of arenas to be undertaken by the final 10 contestants on Pop Idol have been announced. Tickets go on sale tomorrow for a fortnight of dates which kick off next month.

The tour calls at Wembley Arena in London from March 14 to 17, London's Dockland's Arena (18, 19), Sheffield Arena (21, 22), Birmingham NEC (23, 24), Manchester MEN Arena (25) and Glasgow SECC (26, 27).

The psychic says Gareth has charm pouring out of him.

And Geller says he can programme the contestant's brain to cure his stutter.

He says it would be nice if the spiky style started a trend in barber shops with people asking for "a Gareth."

Eamonn Holmes couldn't resist touching Gareth's hair on GMTV and said it felt like Sonic the Hedgehog.

Gareth told the show he had high hopes of doing well in the final of Pop Idol.

"I've had to work as hard as everyone else, hopefully it will be enough to win the show on Saturday," he said.

Will pledges to stay true to himself and his beliefs at all times, and not to become a music industry diva.

Gareth promises not to throw celebrity strops or become a high maintenance pop star.

The pair will board battle busses on a week long media blitz of London, meeting fans and giving interviews.

Will's list of promises also includes pledges to steer clear of celebrity hang outs, not to throw strops at paparazzi - although he reserves the right to break that one - and a promise to wear his trousers at an acceptable height.

Gareth says he won't give photoshoots in fabulous mansions pretending them to be his home, to keep his feet on the floor and not to accept lavish gifts from other celebs in publicity bids.

Both promise to work hard, entertain and respect their fans.

He hopes McKenna will be able to cure his speech impediment before he becomes a big star.

The Pop Idol contestant will go head to head with William Young in the grand final of the ITV show on Saturday.

The final two wannabes will go head-to-head next Saturday but first face a gruelling publicity campaign around London.

The contestants will even have to produce their own "manifesto" on why they should be chosen.

Gareth Gates, 17, Will Young, 23, and Darius Danesh, 22, will fight it out for the final two places on tonight's edition of the show.

A spokesperson for Pop Idol said: "This will be their most intense promotional activity to date and they will go off individually to do interviews on radio and TV.

"It's all in a bid to get everybody's vote and will be like a General Election.

She added that the "campaign" would be good training for the promotional work that comes with being a pop star.

"They're really excited about it," she said. "They've had a taste of being a celebrity and being recognised in the street but this is their first opportunity to see what it is like to go through the intense promotional bit."

He also thinks Rik Waller faked illness to get public sympathy as he launches a solo career.

He says Rik should lose some weight because the public don't want "lardy" stars.

Speaking to Hot Stars magazine, Dr Fox said: "Gareth really stuck in my head mainly because he had a stammer and then sang like angel.

"If he wasn't so pretty and didn't have a stammer, I don't think he'd be where he is."

Asked about Rik, he said: "He made it through to the last ten and should count his lucky stars.

"I think he should lose some weight - for his own benefit and for his health. People don't want someone as big and lardy as him.

"When Rik was 'unable' to speak, he still appeared capable of talking to his parents. I think he was putting it on to make everybody feel sorry for 'poor Rik' and that's how he's going to launch his career."

The singer has found it impossible to study for his A Levels as well as compete on the ITV show.

School principal John Lewis has backed Gareth's move, predicting he will be a millionaire within a year.

The Pop Idol finalist says he first met Daniel before he became famous and they have got on really well since.

He says he caught up with Daniel at his home earlier this week.

Wendy Gates has accused Young's family of failing to clap for the other competitors during the shows.

Her son is the bookies choice to win the ITV1 talent search.

With only three hopefuls left in the programme, Gates and Young look set to go head to head in the final in a fortnight's time.

But as the competition hots up Mrs Gates, from Bradford, has accused Young's family of being less than sporting.

In an interview with Heat magazine, she said that while she was friends with the mother of Zoe Birkett, who was given the axe on Saturday, she found the attitude of Young's family strange.

She said: "Will tends to keep himself to himself and his family act like we're rivals.

"I've noticed in the last few weeks they never clap after Gareth's performance. We stand up and cheer for the contestants."

Mrs Gates also revealed how she had warned her 17-year-old son about the pitfalls of fame.

She commented: "I told him: 'if anyone offers you drugs, you get straight on the phone to me'."

Annabel Young says claims made by the family of fellow PopIdol finalist Gareth Gates are "completely untrue."

She says the family think all the contestants have been "absolutely great."

Wendy Gates made her claims in an interview with Heat magazine.

She said the rivalry between William and Gareth had resulted in the Young family failing to clap for other contestants after their performances on the ITV1 reality TV show.

Mrs Young told Radio 1's Newsbeat: "The story is completely untrue.

"Of course we applaud for every single one of them, they're all absolutely great. William did warn us that this was going to come out today."

But they say they have formed a close bond since taking part in Pop Idol.

The pair are said to text-message one another constantly, leave notes in each others dressing rooms, laugh at the same things and play fight.

Zoe is also helping Gareth over come his stutter. He holds her hand and looks into her eyes to help him focus when he's answering questions from the media.

But Gareth tells the Daily Express: "We're very close but we are not going out like girlfriend and boyfriend".

Zoe says Gareth has become her best friend and hopes they will be friends for life.

The 17-year-old favourite froze and had to catch his breath repeatedly.

The press conference also featured the three other hopefuls and was being filmed for the ITV1 show.

Gareth said how happy the public support has made him.

He has been backed by The Sun newspaper and bookies make him favourite to win.

"I'm really thrilled at the support I have been getting, but the show's not over yet," said Gareth.

The quartet faced a grilling from journalists about their futures and told how they are coping with fame.

And despite the behind-the-scenes wrangles which have beset the made-for-TV band Hear'Say, they remain upbeat about their prospects for longevity.

"The idea of being nobody tomorrow is not something that's even come into our heads," said contestant Darius Danesh.

Zoe Birkett, the youngest competitor at just 16, said: "We're living in this bubble. We don't know what's going on in the outside world so to speak."

William Young had overtaken him with the bookies two weeks ago.

The remaining five finalists will sing big band songs on this week's edition of the ITV show.

Gareth says his outfit is "awesome."

The suit was worn by Robbie at a photo shoot.

Fellow contestant Will Young will wear a pair of cufflinks and a gold Rolex watch once owned by his grandad Bobby, who died a year ago.

he 17-year-old Pop Idol finalist says he is often mobbed when he goes out.

Crowds of fans have been chanting his name at the studios on Saturday nights.

Gareth's speech therapist has set him the exercise to help overcome his stammer.

The joint favourite to win the show suffered a setback in his speech a few weeks ago.

He said: "'My coach Michael Hay came to London to help me with my speech because I've been having problems recently. He made me go into the street and ask people for directions.

"It's a really hard thing for me to do, but it really helps build my confidence.

"I'm working hard on my speech now. It is possible to overcome a stammer and I want to show people that. I've had lots of letters from people with speech problems who have told me I have inspired them."