‘I definitely got more attention then’: Gareth Gates admits fans still prefer him as the ‘skinny beanpole’ from his Pop Idol days despite spending SIX YEARS getting in shape
Gareth Gates has revealed that fans still prefer him as the ‘skinny beanpole’ from his Pop Idol days despite spending the past six years getting in shape.
The singer, 36, who found fame on the ITV talent show in 2001, said he’s embraced his healthier lifestyle after replacing partying with the gym.
In lockdown Gareth has also found love with DJ Chloe McLennan after he split from fiancé Faye Brookes in August 2019.
Ripped: Gareth Gates has revealed that fans still prefer him as the ‘skinny beanpole’ from Pop Idol (left in 2019 and right in 2002) despite spending six years getting in shape
Discussing his transformation with The Sun, Gareth explained that despite his ripped new physique fans still view him as the shy teenager when he auditioned for Pop Idol, finishing runner-up behind winner Will Young.
He said: ‘I definitely got more attention back then. I was a pop star with loads of hits. But I think I look better now. It’s taken me six years to get this body. I got into the gym when I was 30 and stopped partying.
‘But in the last couple of years I’ve started to take my fitness really seriously.’
New look: The singer said he’s embraced a healthier lifestyle and spends up to two hours in the gym everyday lifting weights
Gareth said he spends two hours in the gym every day lifting weights and benchpressing, and consumes up to 4,000 calories a day.
The star said that despite getting far more attention during his pop days, he still gets the odd steamy DM from an overexcited fan.
Despite several years of chart-topping success, in recent years Gareth has performed on cruise ships, and had been working on a liner in the Caribbean Sea before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crooner: He rose to fame when he finished runner-up on Pop Idol in 2002, and despite several years of music success, now performs on cruise ships
The star said he adds to his earnings by working in the stock market, though did lose £250,000 after being conned by some bad business advice.
Gareth also gushed about his blossoming romance with DJ Chloe, after meeting her while they were both working in Dubai.
Just weeks after meeting the pair moved in together at Gareth’s Wiltshire home after the UK was plunged into its first lockdown in March.
Cute couple: Gareth also gushed about his romance with DJ Chloe McLennan after they moved in together when lockdown hit in March
The star said lockdown also gave him the opportunity to spend more time with his daughter Missy, 11, who he shares with ex-wife Suzanne Mole.
Gareth split from his fiancée Faye last year after a seven-year romance, with sources claiming at the time they couldn’t make the relationship work.
The couple’s engagement came as a shock to fans as they had split for a month last year, reconciling in October.
Ex: Gareth split from his fiancée Faye Brookes last year after a seven-year romance, mere months after the pair had announced their engagement (pictured in June 2018)