Gareth Gates

Finally having the freedom to speak is a really liberating feeling. ”

As you know, I was a solo singer, something I just got very much used to. Turns out I'm quite enjoying being in a band! ”

I was always used to being centre stage - something that had its good and bad points. ”

Having my first number one single and being able to travel to places I've never been before has been amazing. The tour was also fantastic. There are so many things which I've experienced this year which I never even dreamed of. ”

I'm part of a speech therapy programme called the McGuire Programme. It teaches you a new way to breathe, a new way to speak, a brand new way of tackling the mind-sets that come with having a speech impediment. Mainly, it teaches you how to slow things down, and that has really helped me. ”

I'm part of a speech therapy course called the Maguire Programme. It isn't a cure; it's something you need to maintain and work on. I get days where I find things more difficult than others. ”

At the age of 13, I felt it was up to me to decide whether I wanted to go to church or be with my mates, and I chose to go to church. ”

I really love it in Belfast. I always stay in the most bombed hotel, the Europa! ”

I love musical theatre because I love doing a live performance eight times a week. ”

I've stammered all my life, and it's fair to say that my stammer has shaped my life. It's made me make some decisions that I'm sure I wouldn't have if I didn't suffer with this affliction. ”