A Bradford singing sensation has overcome a speech impediment to find himself hot favourite to become Britain's newest pop idol.

Gareth Gates, pictured, has been picked from more than 10,000 hopefuls in the ITV show Pop Idol, presented by Ant and Dec.

The 21-year-old overcame his stutter to wow judges at the televised Manchester heats of the show with his rendition of Westlife's On Angels' Wings.

His nerves got the better of him as he stammered his name, but once he began singing the judges picked him immediately.

Judge Simon Cowell, a record company executive, told Gareth: "I don't need to hear any more. You are in. It is the bravest thing I have ever seen."

Gareth now has to compete against the last 100 finalists to try to win a solo career, guided by the management of The Spice Girls and S Club 7.

He said: "I just cannot believe it. It's a dream come true."

The show began at the weekend, when viewers saw Gareth being picked but his sister Nicola, with whom he usually duets, in tears after being rejected.

"We're really proud of Gareth and we wish him the best of luck," said Nicola. "We hope he does really well."

The finalists will be whittled down and a series winner will be chosen by viewers after a live show in which the final two contestants sing to the nation.

Gareth has competed on children's BBC1 programme Step II The Stars and has been a regular face in local choirs.