Gareth Gates can't wait to come home and sing for his fans this weekend, says the star's sister Nicola, pictured.

As preparations for Sunday's Gareth Homecoming event in Centenary Square got underway, Nicola Gates spoke of her excitement at performing with her famous brother in front of thousands.

Nicola, 16, will join 18-year-old Gareth for a duet dedicated to Bradford. The pair often sang together as children but this will be the first time they have performed a duet in public since Gareth shot to fame on ITV1's Pop Idol.

"I'm really excited and so is Gareth," said Nicola, who is an aspiring singer and took part in the original Pop Idol audition with her brother.

"It'll be great to see him up there on stage in his home town. We still haven't decided what duet we're doing - we've got a few in mind. The song will be dedicated to Bradford."

Gareth's father, Paul Gates, said Gareth would be in Bradford for just one day.

"He's got such a busy schedule at the moment, especially with him being Number One. He's got appointments in London on Monday so he won't be able to stay here overnight," he said.

"This event means so much to him and he loves being back here. It will be a fantastic event. Unfortunately, he won't have time to catch up with his friends while he's here but he's hoping to take a break soon."

Paul revealed that Gareth's next single would be a duet with his former Pop Idol rival Will Young.

"They're releasing The Long and Winding Road in September, just before they go on tour together," said Paul.

Gareth is expected on stage at about 5pm but the rest of the entertainment will start at 4pm.

The event is expected to be hosted by former Emmerdale star Malandra Burrows and the line-up will include children from Bradford's JW School of Dance. The youngsters will be performing with huge letters making up the words One Landscape Many Views - Bradford's Capital of Culture slogan.

Josi Flavius-Warner, who runs the dance school, said: "We're over the moon. The children are all Gareth fans. It's such an honour to take part in this."

Other acts taking part will be the Kala Sangam dancers, Bradford Bulls mascots Bull Boy and Bull Man, and two singers from Gareth's old school, Dixons City Technology College.