GARETH Gates has reflected on his ‘special’ TV moment with Ed Balls last year, in which the ex politican broke down in tears as they bonded over stammering.
Singer Gareth, 39, struck a chord with Ed, 57, while discussing his impediment during a Good Morning Britain appearance back in November.
His brave words caused the show anchor to shed a few tears as he thanked his “role model” for giving him the confidence to be open about his own stammer.
During a chat with The Sun to promote his new tour, Gareth Gates Sings Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, the hitmaker looked back on the emotional interview.
He said: “It was really great, actually. I think moments like that really heighten the awareness of stammering and anybody who struggles with any form of speech impediment, or any form of affliction.
“What happened in that moment between me and Ed… and these were was Ed’s words, he said that I made it possible for people who have a stammer, or people who have any form of affliction, to not give up on their dream and to keep on ploughing forward.
“That was a real special moment for me, it was a very special moment for Ed and it had a huge reaction on my social media and in the media in general.
“I enjoy that simply because it is doing what I said, it heightens the awareness and so therefore helps people.”
Gareth famously brought stammering into the mainstream following his 2001 Pop Idol audition.
But he wishes there could have been someone in the same position for him to look up to before finding fame.
He explained: “Unfortunately, there wasn’t anybody. I didn’t even know anybody in life who stammered so it was a very lonely, very isolating place. And that’s tough, especially when you’re a kid.
“If there had been somebody like myself, like Ed Balls out there flying the flag, it would have made things a lot easier because I would have at least been able to say to those kids at school, ‘Well, look, I’m like that person.’
“And when you can liken yourself to somebody who’s respected and adored, then it actually becomes cool to be like them, you know, at least accepted.
“Unfortunately, there wasn’t anybody like that and so it was extremely hard. And I’m really pleased that I helped with that.”
Gareth went on to inspire others who stammer in his role as a coach and course instructor with The McGuire Programme, which runs intensive residential courses across the globe.
The programme, which teaches physical and psychological techniques to overcome the speech disorder, has featured in a number of TV documentaries, notably ITV‘s School for Stammerers in 2018.
But Gareth’s latest venture will see him front an all-star cast of West End performers as they pay tribute to The Jersey Boys, backed by a full swing live band.
The electrifying vocal homage to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will include the likes of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherry, My Eyes Adored You and December 63.
Sharing his excitement to be stepping into their shoes, he said: “It’s a concert that we want people up at the end, singing along, dancing, having a great night out.
“My parents always used to listen to them so it’s been drummed into me as a child.
“And then I’ve done a few shows in the past, which has been based around the music, so to produce my own version of the show is great.”
Kicking off on 29th September, the tour will travel to Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Aberdeen, as well as many more UK cities.
