Gareth Gates speaks out after being ‘bullied and verbally abused’ by three women on cruise: ‘It’s been constant’

Gareth Gates was verbally abused by three female passengers on board a P&O cruise who goaded him about his stutter.

The singer has revealed that the women in their 60s – whose hut was next to his – bullied him mercilessly, mimicking his speech problem by stuttering David Bowie’s hit Changes.

Gareth, 39, who was revealed last week as the winner of this year’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, said: ‘Every time we’ve been on our balcony… it’s constant verbal abuse.’

‘They started by [stuttering] the song Changes by David Bowie and it went on to ‘GGG Gareth Gates’. It’s gotten worse and worse.

‘I’m more than used to this and I can deal with it. At first I thought, ‘Let’s just leave it at that,’ but three days is brutal. There were three girls in that hut, the same age as my mother.’

Incredibly, the singer revealed that the women in their 60s – whose hut was next to him – mimicked his speech problem by stuttering David Bowie’s hit Changes

Gareth went on to explain that the women were reprimanded by HR bosses and given a warning after his partner, West End actress Alanna Taylor, confronted them.

He explained: ‘I could barely get past it myself because it was three women, so my other half said, ‘Look, I’ve had enough’ and went past and politely asked them to stop and it actually worked.”

The father-of-one decided to share what happened publicly ‘because if we stand up to bullying, it can stop’.

He added: “I’m the first person to take the Mick out of my speech, but knowing that the person you’re taking the Mick out of can hear it takes a whole different person.

“If you are those three women in cabin 8206 on my ship, shame on you, we heard your conversations.

“Obviously you have children and grandchildren, so what kind of example do you set for your children? Let’s stand up against bullying.’ he concluded.

Fans and famous faces flocked to the comments section to express their support and love for the star.

“Fair play to our lady for politely coming over and asking them to stop… I wouldn’t have been so nice,” said singer Becky Hill.

Opening: Gareth, 39, who was revealed as this year’s winner on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, said: ‘Every time we’ve been on our balcony… it’s been constant verbal abuse’

Here for you: Fans and famous faces flocked to Gareth’s comments section to show their support for the singer

Justice: Gareth went on to explain that the women were reprimanded by HR bosses and given a warning after his partner, West End actress, Alanna Taylor, confronted them

Grateful: In an update, Gareth thanked his wife Allana Taylor, describing her as ‘strong girl’, ‘courageous’ and someone who stood up for him

Will Mellor wrote: ‘Some people feel the need to do this to distract from how sad they are!!! Glad your partner said something. Enjoy the rest of your holiday friend.’

Hayley Tamaddon wrote: ‘I’m so sorry this happened to you Gareth. They should be ashamed. Disgusting behaviour’

While Danielle Lloyd, who appeared with him on the grueling military show, wrote: ‘Shame on you Gareth, you are so strong and an amazing person.

‘Unfortunately in life there will always be people who are not satisfied with themselves and have to try to be others!!! Raise above my darling, followed by a red heart emoji

In an update, Gareth, who has been with P&O for five years, wrote: ‘Thank you for all your kind messages regarding my video Stand up to Bullying…

‘Thanks to Neil Oliver and his team on board Arvia for immediately addressing the situation. They immediately took us to another cabin and the three women were pulled into the office and given a warning. Again, hopefully they’ve learned their lesson…’

Last month, the singer became emotional when speaking about growing up with a stutter on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

A tearful Gates, who is now a musical theater performer and rose to fame on the first season of Pop Idol in 2002, finishing second behind Will Young, said: “For me, growing up was hard – in school, stuttering.

‘School was just… [I was] verbally abused, physically. Guys just holding me down and yelling things,” said Gates, occasionally pausing to wipe tears from his eyes.

“I think that’s why I’m here, to show myself that I’m stronger, and hopefully I won’t break down this time.”

Last week, Gates was named winner of the 2023 military-style series, beating rival, disgraced former health secretary Matt Hancock.