Gareth Gates is hooked on the Maldives

Believe it or not, 12 years have passed since Gareth Gates found fame after finishing as runner-up on Pop Idol.

Following a string of hits over the next few years, the singer went in a new direction and successfully auditioned for stage musicals like Les Miserables and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He also overcame a debilitating stutter and featured on Dancing on Ice, returning for the recent final all-star series and undertaking the sell-out farewell UK tour. He also took part in the most recent series of ITV2’s Big Reunion.

This year saw him return to the pop stage. He released a greatest hits album, also showcasing new acoustic music he’s been hard at work on. In addition, Gareth has given his support to organisations helping those with a stamnmer.

He plays Oran Mor in Glasgow on November 18 and Gateshead Sage on November 20.

Here he tells The Sunday Post about his top holiday locations.

“I’ve been very lucky to have travelled round the world with my job. Looking back, I don’t think there’s anywhere I’ve not been that I wanted to go to.

“I have also been to places I never imagined I would visit Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and China, for example. But my favourite holiday was to the Maldives, where I stayed in a resort called Gili.

“It’s the most beautiful, untouched, unspoiled place I have ever been. I was only 18 and I went with my sister.

“It came just after I had been on Pop Idol, when I was in really high demand by what felt like just about everyone. So I really wanted to chill out and relax for a little while.

“Usually when I go on holiday I like to wander and explore, looking at the art and the architecture, but that wasn’t the case on this occasion.

“I’m a real sucker for a tan, so I enjoyed bathing in the sun, and we stayed in a wooden shack which was built on stilts in the water.

“We also went out on a dhoni, a traditional boat in the Maldives. We went fishing and whatever we caught, we had for dinner that night.

“The food was amazing. It was usually in a buffet style, with lots of meat and fish done in spiced herbs, served alongside noodles or pasta.

“I enjoyed the trip so much that I went back again a few years later. And I would definitely go back a third time.

“When I was a child, my family and I went on the occasional trip abroad, but our annual holiday was to a caravan park.

“I always entered the talent competitions they held and I usually won, so they would reward us with a free holiday to attend the regional final.

“And when I won that we were given another free holiday so I could participate in the overall final. We would end up with three holidays for the price of one, which was nice!”