Pop idol Gareth Gates was today celebrating his 18th birthday - with the help of his favourite newspaper.

The Telegraph & Argus delivered a special birthday cake to the singing superstar, pictured here, who has taken the music world by storm.

It has been an amazing few months for the former pupil of Dixon's City Technology College, who spent last summer worrying about the results of his AS Levels.

He was spending most of today in a recording studio before appearing live on television tonight to sing his new single Anyone of Us which is expected to reach number one on Sunday.

But he was also making time for a visit by his mum Wendy, dad Paul and his brothers and sisters who travelled down to London from their East Bowling home to help him celebrate.

As the T&A handed Gareth his birthday cake, he asked us to pass on his thanks to his thousands of Bradford fans who have inundated his home and new fan club with cards to mark his special day.

"The last year has been absolutely awesome and to think that on my 18th birthday I am going to have a hit single (and hopefully a number one!) is just amazing," he said. "Although I spend a lot of my time down here in London now, I do still get to speak to my family lots and they tell me how much support I have from everyone back in Bradford.

"I'll be seeing a lot of them this weekend and I'm sure they'll fill me in on all the news as usual, and hopefully I'll be up there again soon myself."

Gareth joked that he was worried where all his family were going to sleep - and suggested they might have to make do with the floor of his new London flat.

"I am sure we'll manage to find somewhere for them, but it'll be a tight fit," he said.

Gareth was due to appear on BBC's Sport Relief charity show tonight, before heading off for his own party to mark a memorable 12 months.

Gareth's mum Wendy said: "We have got a really nice restaurant booked and a car full of presents. There are hundreds of cards that people have sent to our house here and I think he's going to be all night opening them all.

"Reaching 18 is such a milestone in his life. The last 18 years have just been amazing, I only hope that the next 18 will be as good.

"This was the first time he has spent a birthday away from home, and I was a little bit sad that I wasn't able to see him this morning opening his presents."

Meanwhile, Gareth's sister Nicola is teaming up with Shipley singer Danny Tetley to help raise money for a seriously ill youngster.

The duo will perform at The Raggalds pub in Queensbury next Thursday, when they will also be auctioning off signed Gareth goodies, including his new CD single and a four-foot poster.

Proceeds will help pay for a dream holiday to Florida for three-year-old Ryan Jackson.

The Bradford youngster has Proteus Syndrome, a rare, incurable and disfiguring genetic disorder.

Tickets, priced £3, are available on (07904) 243511. The event runs from 9pm to 1am.