He said: "At the end of Pop Idol I did have a brief relationship with Jordan. I shouldn’t have denied it but I did. I was naive."

"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."

The glamour model was six months pregnant with soccer ace Dwight Yorke’s baby. The pair denied any involvement but then Jordan decided to reveal all to the tabloids.

Gareth rubbished her story three times: "I shouldn’t have denied it, but I did.

"I was naive. But I have learnt a lot about people from this experience. There is really nothing more I want to add."

Jordan, 25, said the details of their relationship would feature in her autobiography.

"Nothing has changed and I don’t wish to say any more because all the details will be in the book." Can’t wait!


Mummy’s boy - 27/06/03
Gareth Gates’ mummy is moving into the Pop Idols Kensington flat.

Gareth’s mum Wendy is concerned that her 18-year-old son is becoming too wild after he was spotted boozing in the West End and even visiting a table-dancing club.

She now has her own key to the plush apartment and is staying in the spare room to keep an eye on her wild child!!

Nervous Gareth fails- again! - 06/06/03
Gareth Gates has failed his driving test for the second time.

The young Pop Idol first failed his test in front of millions as part of Comic Relief, this time he was overcome with nerves and forgot to put the handbrake on.

His driving instructor seemed more confident he would pass next time adding that he thought Gareth was a "good driver". Well he can’s be that good!!


Veg Idol - 29/04/03 Courtesy of Heat Magazine
Gareth Gates is trying to make it in the Far East - but fans a re struggling with his name...

One called a radio station in Singapore and requested a track by "Carrot Cake." It took the DJ ages to work out the caller meant Gareth.


Double Gareth - 18/03/03 Courtesy of Heat Magazine
Gareth Gates makes his acting debut in the new S Club movie Seeing double (released 11 April)...

Alongside look-alikes of Jacko, Madonna and Elton John, he plays a clone of himself created by an evil money-grabbing pop guru.



Comical Number One - 17/03/03
Gareth Gates and the Kumars have scored a number one hit with their charity single in aid of comic relief.

Their re-working of the Dr & The Medics classic ’Spirit in the Sky’ has stormed to number one - meaning Gareth may have failed his driving test, but at least he is the star driving force in the charts.

New groove for Gareth - 04/03/03
Gareth Gates wants to go into R & B and leave cheesy pop behind him.