When dodgy stories surface (ie. the Jordan saga), who gets the most upset: you, your family or your record company? 'All I'm worried about is protecting my family. That's all I care about. But they know most of what they read in the papers is a load of lies. Sometimes it's funny, though, like, wa-hey!' Gareth's mobile rings. Actually it doesn't ring, its sings: a classic hip-hop tune by Grandmaster Flash. He looks at the picture on the creen, gives a wry smile and drops the call... So is this the start of chapter two for Gareth Gates? 'Yeah. The tour was the end of the Pop Idol thing. We're all going our own ways.' Do you ever think about the fact you lost Pop Idol? 'As time's gone on, it's got even more like I don't really care. I'm still here and I'm doing well, so I'm not bothered...' You're about to go into the studio to make your second album. Are you more excited this time round? 'Yeah, really excited. Its gonna be cool.' If it could sound like any other artist, who would you choose? 'Michael Jackson meets...' Martin Bashir? 'Hahaha, that's good - Michael Jackson meets Martin Bashir! Erm, I mean a classic kind of thing, but more rough-sounding. You know, like Nelly. In between him and Michael Jackson, but without the rapping.' You're not a rapper, are you? 'Obviously not. Hahaha!' Any duets planned? 'No. Having said that, I would add a rap artist to the middle of a song.' Like Justin and Nelly? 'Yeah, that would be well cool.' What kind of music are you listening to for inspiration? 'I'm listening to a lot of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder...' You can play piano too... 'Yeah, I play a bit of piano, and guitar and drums. I'm gonna be playing on the album. One day I want to make an album where I've written and played everything...' |