Gareth Gates has maintained his position at the top of the charts - and today vowed to battle to remain there.

The East Bowling teenager said he was determined to beat rival Will Young's stay in the number one slot.

Both have had their debut singles at the top of the charts for three consecutive weeks, and Gareth is still top of the pops this week with his cover of Unchained Melody.

Gareth told chart host DJ Foxy, who was also a judge on the ITV Pop Idol programme: "I have to make it to four weeks at number one."

When Foxy suggested that three weeks at the top was "pretty brilliant", Gareth said: "I have to beat Will. I have to. I have to."

He added: "I've got to get my own back (because Will won Pop Idol)."

Three weeks ago, the 17-year-old became Britain's youngest male to bag a number one and the fastest selling teenager in the 50 years of the pop charts with his version of the pop classic.

Meanwhile Will slipped to number eight in the singles charts this week with his debut single and former number one Anything is Possible/Evergreen.