Gareth Gates' mum says Unchained Melody is her 'favourite song'

Gareth Gates' mum says Unchained Melody is her favourite song of all time.

She says she has been "crying buckets" since her son reached the UK number one spot.

Gareth celebrated his achievement with his close family at a party in Birmingham.

Wendy Gates told Bradford's Telegraph And Argus: "To have your own son release your favourite song of all time, and then for it to become number one - well what can I say? Gareth is absolutely over the moon, and we are all sharing in it."

"Every time I think about what is happening, I get a lump in my throat. I know I am crying buckets, but then again something like this doesn't happen to you every day."

And she said Gareth has been "taken aback" by the level of support in his hometown of Bradford, where record stores reported the highest sales anywhere in the country.

"We have always said that the Bradford fans have been absolutely wonderful, and we can't really thank them enough for their support. They are the best people around, and they have been behind him all the way," she said.

Wendy also says Gareth is planning to return to Bradford and perform a special concert to thank his local supporters.

"He is really keen to sort something out as soon as he can. Bradford is where his roots are and where they will always remain, and it would be a lovely way to thank all his fans in Bradford for their incredible support."

Gareth became the youngest-ever British male solo star to have a number one single on Sunday.