Gareth Gates seemed to have the world at his feet at 17 - he was the fastest-selling British debut artist in history, with four number one singles and two best-selling albums to his name.

The stammering teenage singer tugged at the heart-strings of the nation.

But just four years after being a tearful runner-up on TV's Pop Idol in 2002, he had been dropped by his record company.

Now, a TV documentary will chart his life as he first enjoyed fame and a reported £5 million fortune to suffering the public ignominy of being dropped by SonyBMG.

And it will reveal what life is like for the former Bradford Cathedral head chorister as he prepares material for his comeback album, due next year.

Gareth has been filmed visiting his family at their home near Bingley - which he bought with his earnings - and he will be shown paying a nostalgic visit to the flat where his parents Paul and Wendy lived when he was born, where he reminisces about how, as a toddler, he insisted his bedroom be decked out in Superman gear.

For the first time, Gareth, who grew up in East Bowling, Bradford, will also be shown talking about his reasons for the public denial about tabloid revelations over his relationship with glamour model Jordan, which he later was forced to admit had been true, and how his life has changed.

The show also uncovers the steps the former pop star still takes to avoid being recognised in public, even when shopping at his local supermarket.

Fans will also be given a sneak preview of some of the material for his long-awaited third album.

What ever happened to Gareth Gates? will be screened on ITV1 at 7.30pm on December 23.

e-mail: sunita.bhatti @bradford.newsquest.co.uk