GARETH Gates still can’t quite believe that he’s taken to life in the theatre.

“It’s my new love,” he laughed. “I really never thought I’d be appearing on stage both singing and acting.”

Gareth has recently joined the cast of Legally Blonde, the show based on the hit movie which starred Reese Witherspoon.

In the show, which is now on tour after three years in the West End, Gareth plays Waner, the opinionated boyfriend of apparent airhead Elle Woods, who proves that she’s no dumb blonde after enrolling in law school. The touring show also stars former Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison and rising West End star Faye Brooks as Elle.

“It is a new avenue for me and it’s very liberating,” said Gareth.

The nation took the spiky-haired Bradford teenager with a bad stammer to their hearts when he appeared on Pop Idol.

“Appearing on stage is very liberating for me,” said Gareth. “I adopt a different persona, which is something which helps me with my stammer.

“It’s always a little nerve-racking when I meet new people because of my stammer but the cast have been fabulous. With everything I do I always raise the question of my stammer before anyone else does as I have had so much feedback from fellow stammerers that I have inspired them. I just have worked hard and I hope I have shown you should not let it stop you achieving your goals.”

Legally Blonde is a wonderfully light-hearted show which has received rave reviews.

“It’s one of those shows that makes people smile,” said Gareth. “I have been in Les Miserables, which is much more full-on as shows go, but this is equally entertaining and huge fun to be part of.”

As well as touring with Legally Blonde, Gareth has also just been announced as part the cast in a revival of the disco musical Boogie Nights next year. So does that mean he’s moved from live concerts?

“I love doing both,” he said. “I’m currently working with my band on some new songs and I hope to have an album out next year. I work with them when I get time off from theshow.

“My professional life now is all about juggling concerts and shows which is a great position to be in.”

Legally Blonde, Manchester Opera House, Tuesday, September 11 to Saturday, September 22. Details from 0844 871 7660