Bradford's Pop Idol favourite Gareth Gates, pictured, is ready to rock and roll his way into the final four of Britain's biggest talent contest.

The East Bowling youngster remains one of the hot favourites to win the ITV Pop Idol crown, after winning good backing from both the judges and TV audiences in recent weeks.

And tonight, the 17-year-old wannabe pop star will be joined by his own big band on stage as he performs his latest song.

He is rehearsing his own version of Bobby Darin's 1959 hit Mack the Knife for tonight's show, which has a 'big band' theme.

And his mum Wendy, who returned from visiting Gareth in London earlier this week, said she thought it would be his best performance yet.

"I think he will enjoy singing with a real band rather than a backing soundtrack," she said. "He is really confident because his form seems to have really picked up again in recent weeks."

Gareth had a tough start in the latest stint of the show, when each week one of the final contestants is voted off by viewers.

But after a grilling by the judges in weeks one and two, Gareth is now back to his best, according to his mum. "He probably needed that bit of criticism because he has been such a favourite all the way through."

Despite enjoying his continued success, Gareth is finding some of the attention from his fans a little too intrusive.

"It's crazy," he told the programme's official website. "I visited a school last week and all these girls were screaming, crying and trying to touch me. I just didn't understand it. I'm not complaining though, it's great - any young man would love it.

"However, when they ask me to sign their chests, I do get embarrassed. I usually run away fast."