Bradford singer Gareth Gates has received hundreds of fan mail letters after getting through to the latest stage of ITV's Pop Idol, despite having a speech impediment.

The 17-year-old has soared to fame thanks to his appearances on the show which is searching for a new pop star.

Millions of viewers watched Gareth, who has a stammer, perform the Westlife hit On Angels' Wings.

Young fans have bombarded the Pop Idol bulletin board with hundreds of messages of luck and declarations of love.

Comments include: 'I think it is fantastic that he (Gareth) has overcome his stutter to appear on television. He is the most down to earth and genuine individual in the entire contest and he deserves to win.'

Gareth said: "I have to keep my feet on the ground despite having all these fans.

"People keep stopping me in the street for my autograph. Since I have been on the television more girls are finding me attractive.

"I have been working hard on my stammer and it is getting better, but it is something I will have to work at and I still find it difficult when I am under pressure."

Since the show started fans have set up an Our Gareth Club, which now has more than 80 members and numbers are growing daily.

Katie Thorne, 15, who has disabilities, has written to the Telegraph & Argus saying how much Gareth has inspired her to get better.

Katie, of Nottingham, said: "I have had five operations on my knee this year and I keep having setbacks with my recovery. I used to be a keen athlete and I have the chance to go on a world challenge trek next summer if I am better, but I have to use crutches to walk at the moment.

"I was really down until I saw Gareth on television. I thought if he can go in front of thousands of people with his stutter then I can get better. He has inspired me not to give up hope."

Gareth told the T&A that he plans to email a reply to Katie.

He said: "I am pleased I have helped her. I have not been able to do everything I have wanted because of my stammer but I have never let it compromise me - I just keep trying. I will tell Katie not to give up hope."

Gareth has been picked from more than 10,000 hopefuls in the show presented by Ant and Dec and is now through to the last 75.

This weekend the contestants will be reduced to 50. If Gareth succeeds he will be put into a group of ten singers and the public will be able to vote for him.

His mother Wendy said: "He has been going for some refresher classes to help him combat his stuttering. He is working hard at it and I am really proud of him. I think he is a little embarrassed that he has so many fans."