Gareth Gates Unveils Dramatic Transformation for Raunchy Boyband Tour
It has been many years since Gareth Gates faced scrutiny for his vocal talents alone. For the former Pop Idol contestant, the focus has shifted dramatically, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reception from ticket-paying audiences at the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe on Thursday evening. The once painfully shy teenager, who famously overcame a debilitating stutter to build an unlikely pop career, presented a vastly different image as he joined his co-stars for the launch of the musical roadshow Boyband In The Buff.
A Celebration of Pop, Passion, and Pecs
Billed as a 'celebration of pop, passion, and pecs' with 'tight harmonies and tighter pants', this raunchy production kicked off a substantial 58-date nationwide tour from its Felixstowe venue. The show promises to deliver nostalgic boyband classics primarily from the 1990s and 2000s, featuring hits made famous by groups like Take That, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Blue.
Gates, now 41, appeared almost unrecognisable from the skinny lad who charmed millions of viewers on the ITV talent show back in 2002. Sporting a full beard, a notably muscular physique, and painfully tight swimming trunks, he thrilled a predominantly female audience during a steamy onstage shower scene with his four co-stars. Bare bottoms and leather chaps were also part of the provocative performance, showcasing Gates' confident dance moves and use of props like a chair.
From Pop Idol to Provocative Performer
The singer's career has taken numerous unexpected turns since his Pop Idol days. Recently, he opened up about his notorious past fling with glamour model Katie Price, revealing that he lost his virginity to her in 2002 when she was six months pregnant and he was just 17. In an interview with New Magazine, Gates admitted his biggest fear was his parents reading lurid details of his sex life in the press.
'That was a lot for a kid who wasn't even an adult to take,' he recalled. 'She's just Katie, she's made a career out of talking about people's relationships. Once you accept that, it is what it is.'
At the time, Gates initially denied the romance, fearing it would jeopardise his burgeoning career. He maintained this stance in his recent interview, explaining, 'I was shocked and at the time I actually didn't believe it was from her. I thought the press had made it up. But then it turned out it actually was her who sold the story.'
Reflections on Privacy and Public Scrutiny
Gates emphasised his reluctance to discuss intimate details, stating, 'I would never talk about intimate details that two people have had together. Out of the respect for them and out of respect for myself... That's just not something I'd do. I didn't want my parents reading every intimate detail about my life in the papers. They didn't need to see that, nobody does. I'm not the sort of person who seeks publicity.'
He later admitted the truth during a 2014 appearance on The Big Reunion, sharing, 'I denied the whole Jordan thing because I was 17, I didn't want my family to find out about my sex life. If I hadn't of lied it wouldn't have been a big deal, my family, friends and fans wouldn't have felt as let down, I guess.'
Reflecting on his youthful perspective, Gates added, 'For me, I was very young. I had to say I don’t want to have a long-term relationship at this age, so she sold the story, and I said it was all lies. The only thing I thought in my head to do was to say it never happened. I didn't tell anyone, my friends or family, so they all backed me.'
As Boyband In The Buff travels across the UK until October, Gates continues to reinvent himself, leaving behind the timid teenager of Pop Idol for a bold, confident performer captivating audiences with both nostalgia and newfound physicality.
