Bradford's day in the nation's spotlight may be over, but the work doesn't stop now in its determined bid to be Europe's Capital of Culture.

Next week an event is planned in Bradford to launch a new stage of the bid campaign - to ensure it reaches the shortlist in September.

Details are under wraps and preparations are underway.

But for now, Bradford can look back on the day it brought the crowds to London.

Two days earlier he'd become the youngest male solo artist to reach No.1. Everyone wants a piece of him.

But our Gareth took time to fly in from a Pop Idol tour date in Glasgow to help deliver Bradford's bid.

It was something the East Bowling teenager had insisted on.

And as he proudly stood against the backdrop of multi-coloured letters spelling out Bradford 2008 in Leicester Square, it was to his credit that he took the trouble not just to pose for photocalls but to spend time with people in the crowd.

It was a far cry from the scene in Leicester Square the evening before, when Britney Spears was booed by crowds for not signing autographs as she arrived at the premiere of her new movie.

The man himself would not be drawn into commenting on the teen queen - his mind was firmly on Bradford.

He was as relaxed with the hordes of press photographers calling out his name as he was with Bradford's civic leaders and the teenagers and parents straining to catch a glimpse of him.

"I'm doing this for Bradford," he grinned. "It's my hometown and I love it."

Earlier Gareth said Bradford would "always be home to me."

"It's great to give something back and say I'm voting for Bradford. The bid will hopefully change the way people think of Bradford and will challenge what culture means today."

Members of Bradford's bid team joined him in the glare of flashblubs and he greeted Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton with a cry of "Hiya!" as she gave him a friendly squeeze on the shoulders.

Then it was more photos, this time with pupils of Belle Vue Girls School, who were invited to London because of their involvement with the Ouseley report into race relations in Bradford. The girls were delighted to meet their hero.

Sofia Akhtar, 17, said: "He's brilliant, really friendly! He's shown that Bradford is still important to him. Bidding for this shows we're determined to move ahead, especially after the riots."

Gareth shared a laugh with dancers from Bradford's South Asian arts group Kala Sangam, and signed a photograph for them. When two members of Bradford's award-winning Black Dyke Band offered him their trumpet he couldn't resist a try.

"What do I do with it?" he asked.

"Just spit into it," said cornet player Mark Bowater, prompting more laughter from Gareth.

Mark said he was delighted to be part of the day's events.

"We've had freedom of the city of Bradford since the 1970s and we're very keen to support this bid. If Bradford wins it will continue the regeneration that has already started."

Lord Puttnam, chairman of Bradford's Capital of Culture partnership board, strolled around to look at the Bradford 2008 letters.

He said: "We're showing we mean business. Bradford people have every reason to be proud today."

Bid director Paul Brookes added: "The visuals are great, there's lots of support from Bradford, Gareth is here and we've even got sunshine. We couldn't have wished for anything better."

The huge smile on Coun Eaton's face said it all.

"It's lovely to see so many Bradford people here, they will always remember this.

"It's wonderful to see Gareth, in the week that he's top of the charts. This a very visual bid and shows our heart-driven desire to achieve.

"Today we're celebrating our life and culture. People tend to think we're just a grimy little northern city - this shows we're serious about our culture. It unites us."

Labour leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "Everything has gone so well - it's a great day for Bradford."

Bradford MPs Terry Rooney, Chris Leslie and Gerry Sutcliffe were happy to fly the flag for Bradford.

"Bradford has a long way to go and needs to win this bid," said Mr Rooney.

"Gareth is obviously proud of his roots. This is a wonderful way of getting the message across that we mean business." Gareth is pictured with, left to right, Lord Puttnam, Councillor Margaret Eaton, Terry Rooney MP, Councillor Ian Greenwood, and MP Gerry Sutcliffe.