Gareth Gates to headline hometown festival

Gareth Gates is playing a special concert in Bradford on September 1.

The Pop Idol runner-up has been confirmed as the headline act at the city's Party In The Park.

Gareth says he's thrilled to lead the party, reports the Telegraph And Argus.

Gareth's mum Wendy says she is "delighted" to see him top the event. "It will be fantastic," she said.

"He will be really pleased to play there to say thank you to his fans - I'm sure it will be just unreal.

"Bradford is Gareth's home town and they can get thousands of people in the park, so he would be able to play to all the people who wanted him to do a concert in Bradford."

Jane Glaister, the Council's director of arts, heritage and leisure, said: "I'm absolutely delighted and this is a real coup for the city.

"Gareth has wanted to come back to Bradford to do a thank-you performance for his local fans for some time.

"It's another positive step for our Capital of Culture bid."