Infamous Pop Idol stammerer Gareth Gates has passed exams to become a speech instructor.
The qualifications mean that the 19-year-old can now teach others how to overcome stuttering, a profession that typically pays around £500 a week.
Gates has been on the McGuire Programme for two-and-a-half years, and recently scored 99% in his final exams.
"Gareth's definitely got what it takes to teach and there is a job here for him whenever he wants it," said Iain Mutch, northern director of the McGuire Programme. "He's got charisma and ability and at last can speak to a room full of people. Unfortunately I think he will have to wait until his career dies down a bit before he takes classes on his own."
"I am really chuffed I am able to teach as it helped me so much," said Gates.
He also denied recent reports that he had been dropped by his record label BMG and is already working on new material.
"I haven't been dropped as rumours have suggested," he said. "In fact I'm actually working on new material and am really, really happy."
The qualifications mean that the 19-year-old can now teach others how to overcome stuttering, a profession that typically pays around £500 a week.
Gates has been on the McGuire Programme for two-and-a-half years, and recently scored 99% in his final exams.
"Gareth's definitely got what it takes to teach and there is a job here for him whenever he wants it," said Iain Mutch, northern director of the McGuire Programme. "He's got charisma and ability and at last can speak to a room full of people. Unfortunately I think he will have to wait until his career dies down a bit before he takes classes on his own."
"I am really chuffed I am able to teach as it helped me so much," said Gates.
He also denied recent reports that he had been dropped by his record label BMG and is already working on new material.
"I haven't been dropped as rumours have suggested," he said. "In fact I'm actually working on new material and am really, really happy."
