Gates set for chart comeback?

Updated 18.15 Thu Feb 22 2007

Keywords: Universal, BMG, Pop Idol, Gareth Gates

Former Pop Idol star Gareth Gates is set to make a comeback after a few years away from the charts.

Gareth, who has been getting help with his speech impediment, is due to release a new album having signed to the Universal record label.

"What happened with my first two Albums is that I arrived at the studio, walked into the booth, was told what to sing and left an hour later" - Gareth Gates

The singer has spent the last few months writing and recording songs in the studio with a band.

He said: "What happened with my first two albums is that I arrived at the studio, walked into the booth, was told what to sing and left an hour later.

"That was the only input on the records I made. But with this one I've had the freedom to be able to play guitar and piano on it. It's much more about me.

Gareth, who lost out to Will Young on Pop Idol in 2002, released two albums but was dropped by BMG records in April 2006 when sales took a turn for the worse.

He added: "I was gutted when I was dropped. But I'm not bitter...One of the things that irritates me is artists who complain saying their life is terrible.

"It's funny how life turns out. It's worked for the best really because I have signed to Universal."