lindajan

Thank you to everyone who has left such lovely comments since reading my report. I still can't really believe my good fortune - it was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time. Also my husband always says that you shouldn't waste an opportunity, so this and the thought that I would regret it if I didn't go over to speak to them are what made me do so. I only now know how much I would have missed out on. I think it also helped that I was on my own, as Paul only had a limited number of passes and his group was already quite big. The photo is on my daughter's phone and when we have worked out how to transfer it to the computer, I will try to post it if it looks alright - I haven't actually seen it properly! I've remembered something that I forgot to put in the report. When I was chatting to Paul after the show he said that he thought that Thursday's show had been really good and was probably the best that he had been to. He later said the same thing to Gareth. I think I've come down to about cloud 80 so far! Love Linda

So far I've left out some really important things. Just before the show started, a man that I recognised but couldn't immediately name was shown into a seat just to the right and in front of me. After a few moments I realised that it was Linda Lusardi's husband, Sam Kane. I then looked around and just over my left shoulder, in the front row of the tiered seating was a girl that I thought looked like Gareth's sister, Nicola – but I wasn't sure! Anyway I kept glancing back and realised that she was with a group of people including a man that could definitely have been Gareth's dad. I still wasn't completely confident that I was right, but whenever Gareth was on the ice anywhere near this area he was obviously acknowledging someone in the crowd that he knew. During the interval most of the group went off but the man, Nicola(?) and another girl stayed in their seats. At one point the man turned towards me and I could really see a resemblance to Gareth. Eventually I persuaded myself that I should go and have a word with them. I went over and asked the girl whether she was Gareth's sister and she said “Yes” and that the man was her dad. I then had a lovely chat with them about Gareth, although I'm sure I came across as a gibbering wreck! They were so friendly and didn't seem to mind that I had approached them. After a bit, I thanked them and went back to my seat. At the end of the show, Gareth shook hands with some people further down the rink and then the skaters left the rink and people started to go home. I hung around for a bit wondering whether anyone would come out again but, when nothing happened, I started to leave. Just after I had passed Paul, Nicola, etc. I glanced back and Paul beckoned me over – I did wonder whether he meant me or whether there was someone behind me! - but I went anyway. He then asked me whether I would like to go backstage with them – what a silly question! Of course I said that I'd love to (I'm still not totally convinced that all this actually happened – things like this only happen in dreams). After waiting a while, chatting to Paul, then sticking on security passes, we were taken backstage. We met Gareth in the corridor first and he greeted his family and friends, then Paul introduced me as a fan and we shook hands, whilst I said that I'd met him a couple of time last year. We then went into a room where there were other celebrities and skaters with their families and friends. We sat around tables and Gareth started on a table with his other sister, Charlotte, and a group of friends. I sat with Paul and Nicola and some more of their friends, who had a look through my tour programme. After a while Gareth came to join us. Nicola asked him to sign my programme and I gave him a pen. He started to look through the programme to find his page when one of the friends said, “What page are you on?” Gareth replied that he had no idea, so I said, “Page 34”, which made everyone laugh – well, you have to know these things, don't you! Gareth stayed with us and chatted away in general. I mainly just listened and talked to Paul, who really made me feel welcome. I realise now that there were lots of things that I should have said to Gareth, but I didn't want to intrude too much on his time with his family and friends. When it became obvious that he would be leaving soon, I asked whether I could take a photo. He willingly agreed and came round the table and Paul said that he would take one of the two of us, so Gareth put his arm around me and I put mine around him – it would have been rude not to reciprocate! Then Gareth said goodbye to everyone, giving them all a kiss and cuddle, me included, so by now I was on cloud 99 – I had gone way past cloud 9! Gareth then left, but I reckon that I spent at least half an hour with him. (There were other celebrities and skaters in the room, including Dan, Maria, Chris F and others, but I only had eyes for Gareth.) Shortly after, we were shown out by a security man, who took us across the area behind where the skaters come out from and out of a locked gate. We then had to walk round to the car park and all this time I'm chatting away with Paul. I remember thinking that I was walking through Manchester with Gareth's dad and sisters – how amazing! When we got to the car park I had to go up to level 4, so we said goodbye and Nicola gave me a hug. I think that I must have said thank you a million times. One of the friends had said earlier that I bet this has made your day, I agreed but I actually think that it was one of the most special days of my life. I have been so amazed and excited ever since, I hardly slept on Thursday night with all the memories whizzing around my head. Things like this never happen to me. If I hadn't decided to go on my own, I would not have got that seat; if I hadn't overcome my natural shyness, I wouldn't have gone over to talk to them and then I wouldn't have been invited backstage. Gareth and his family are genuinely lovely people, completely down to earth and have the ability to make you feel welcome and at ease. I shall remember and treasure this experience for the rest of my life. Love Linda

I thought that you might like to hear about my trip to the DOI tour. I hope you are sitting comfortably, then I'll begin. When I eventually got round to booking a ticket on Tuesday, I was surprised to be able to get one for row B in one of the floor blocks on Thursday at the MEN Arena – it was expensive but it was nearly at the front, so I bought it. I was pleased to find that the seat was about two-thirds of the way back on the lefthand side of the rink. The show started, as usual, with the warm-up guy, Andy. He explained that they were videoing for the DVD, although I'm sure that has happened at several shows. The whole show was amazing and Gareth was fantastic, he looked brilliant, he got a great response from the crowd whenever he came onto the ice and his skating continues to improve. The judges scores in the order skated were: Bonnie and Pavel 27 David and Kristina 19 Clare and Andrei 26.5 Gareth and Maria 25 Linda and Dan 22 Kyran and Melanie 29.5 Zaraah and Fred 25 Chris and Frankie 28 Suzanne and Matt 30 Gareth and Maria were therefore in equal sixth place with the judges. Robin gave him a score of 5.5 and was very complimentary about Gareth's skating and attitude. He really liked Gareth's performance to 'Livin' On A Prayer' and felt that he had listened to criticisms and really gone for it. The second half of the show contained some stunning performances by the professional skaters, especially Fred and Mel's 'Candy Man' and I really liked the performance by Kristina, Frankie, Matt and Dan. There was also the Sixties routine with all of the skaters, and the celebrities and their partners performed a second number. Gareth and Maria did 'Beautiful Day', which was lovely and has definitely been made more complex since the TV show. Throughout there were brilliant performances by Torvill and Dean – it was great to see them skate live, as I always liked to watch them back in the 80s. Finally it was time to reveal who would skate 'Bolero', Gareth was the sixth to be eliminated although that is done in “no particular order”. Chris and Suzanne were the final two and Suzanne won. Then all the skaters came on the ice for the final performance and then it was all over. I really enjoyed the show and had got to see Gareth perform very close up, so I was already very happy – but the best was yet to come!! (I think that I'd better split this post here, as it is getting rather lengthy, but I won't keep you waiting for very long!) Linda

I am so proud of Gareth and what he has achieved in this show. Skating first was what I was dreading and then being put in fourth position by the judges was totally unfair. Zaraah's mark was far too high - her performance was decidedly shaky in places - and Gareth was undermarked. If he had been in third place I think that he would have avoided the skate-off altogether and that it would have been between Suzanne and Zaraah with Suzanne going through. I agree with Snowdrop that the judges didn't want Gareth in the final - I thought that at least Karen and Nicky would save him. With his public support and the final being decided by the public vote alone, I am sure that he and Chris would have been the final two. I think that Gareth would have performed Bolero better than Chris, although I still think Chris would have won, as he has the most public support (various polls have suggested this) - but perhaps Gareth had a slight chance. Now, of course, Bolero will be performed by a boy and a girl and, although Suzanne will be much better, Chris will win as I don't think that Suzanne is gaining anywhere near as many votes as Chris (or Gareth). I really think that the result is obvious now and that Gareth being there would have made it a competition. Anyway, sorry for going on a bit - I really needed to get that off my chest. I'm sure that the public vote will be down next week - I, for one, won't be voting as I don't think that Suzanne has any chance of winning and I wouldn't vote for either of the others. I have loved watching Gareth's journey over the last few weeks. Don't forget that he will be on This Morning tomorrow and probably GMTV and also on DOI next week as all the skaters return for the final show. Linda

Totally gutted. Don't know what to say at the moment, except that the judges made a huge mistake - there's no doubt now that Chris will win. Linda

That was brilliant! I thought that Gareth and Maria would have a great week with the props but then I got really nervous waiting for them to perform. With Zaraah getting such a high score and Gareth having had a migraine, I felt so worried during the interval before they were on. As I suffer from the occasional migraine myself, I know how wiped out they can leave you feeling. Also concerned about the hat and cane, so I watched the performance with my heart in my mouth! But I needed have worried! They gave such a polished performance - dancing and skating really well and using the props brilliantly. By far the stand-out performance of the show - I really don't know why Chris and Frankie were scored higher. If Gareth can do that with a migraine, I can't wait to see what he does next week (surely he has to go through). Linda

Just because Gareth and Maria's place in next week's show wasn't announced until after the break does not mean that they were in the final three. As Philip always says before announcing who is safe - "in no particular order" - we only definitely know the bottom two. I thought that Gareth and Maria did another great performance tonight (shame about the lift) but you could sense the nerves from everyone this evening. Looking forward to next week - I wonder what prop they will get. Whatever it is I have a feeling that they will incorporate it very well into their dance. Linda

Great performance again and so relieved that they are through to next week. I, too, wondered where Maria was but she was back next to Gareth by the final shot. Linda

Well done, Gareth and Maria! Another great performance - confidence growing every week. Third place with the judges again is a very good position to be and a score above 20. Looking forward to next week. Linda

Fantastic! So much more confident tonight and they looked like they really enjoyed that performance. Third again with the judges is excellent. Well done Gareth and Maria! Linda

Wow! I've finally met Gareth. Took my daughter to the Trafford Centre yesterday and on the way she said that she was "coming along for the ride". Although she likes Gareth's music (she has been to his two tours with me and is subjected to his albums whenever she is in the car), she isn't really a fan by choice. Anyway she was completely bowled over by him and keeps saying how nice he is and how natural. She now wants to go to Leeds today to see him again!! He was absolutely amazing. He sang brilliantly - I have videos of the three songs and tried to upload one of them to YouTube (the others are too big) but it doesn't seem to have worked (I've never done it before), so I'll try again later. He was lovely at the signing and looks great on the photos we had taken with him, even though we must have been two-thirds of the way down the queue and he must have been getting tired. One of the assistants in HMV said that there had been about 200 people at the signing. We went out to the car park just after Gareth left HMV and saw him going to his van after speaking to some other fans. As he was driven away, he opened a window and waved - my daughter actually got one of his hands on a photo! He really is as lovely in person as everyone says he is - not that I doubted it. My daughter came away from meeting him saying that her legs had turned to jelly and, when another fan just behind us came away in tears (she was so emotional at her first meeting with him), I could feel my eyes welling up - and here's me old enough to be his mother, in fact I'm older than Wendy! Now what/who shall I dream about tonight? Linda

Thank you Snowdrop, Maggie and Khelda for your reports and video clip of Gareth at Hyde Park today. I'm really pleased that he went down well and that he enjoyed himself too. Linda

It's repeated on BBC1 at 12.35am in the early hours of Sunday morning (just after midnight). Linda

Wow! How brilliant was that? Gareth came over as the lovable, charming and witty guy that we all know that he is. Ricky Gervais was loving it when Gareth was putting Jonathan in his place. Must say that Gareth was looking fantastic as well. I've always felt proud of him and what he has achieved, but that was the icing on the cake of an amazing week. Well done, Gareth - you have fulfilled one of your personal goals and should be brimming with pride. Love Linda

Thanks very much Snowdrop for posting Gareth's 'biography' from the official site, as its much easier to read here. However when I copied it to a text document yesterday morning, I found that there was a bit more that doesn't show up on the screen. 'or for people to hear his music, Gareth is content' is followed by: with the album he always wanted to make. These aren't songs which need to be Number One to justify their existence. I hope you don't mind me pointing this out - I thought that others would want to know. I'm really excited about Gareth's return and I love the new material that I've heard so far. Looking forward to next Sunday and the video for 'Changes'. Love Linda

Hi everyone Thanks to everyone for their reports of Gareth's performance this evening - it sounds amazing! Also thanks for the fantastic pictures. It's so exciting that Gareth is finally back and that we shall all soon be able to see him on the documentary and hear his new music. I am so pleased that Gareth seems to be thrilled to be performing again and doing the type of material he always dreamt of. Rock on, Gareth! Love Linda

Thanks for your welcome, Khelda. I'm not new to the boards - I try to read them at least once a week, but I don't post very much. That doesn't mean that I don't love Gareth and can hardly wait for him to release his next single. I can't usually think of anything extra to add. Linda

Received the first four CDs a few weeks ago and they are absolutely great It is fantastic to have performances that I had not heard before and others collected together in an easy to use format. Thanks very much Maggie and Snowdrop. Even better I got an mp3 player last week and, having loaded Gareth's albums and the CDs onto that, I can now listen to Gareth at times when it was impossible before Also I must heve been one of the first to receive the GH CDs and they are amazing, (although I haven't quite finished the second one yet)! Again lots of stuff (mainly Asian) that I had not seen before and had not downloaded from SBGs site because my computer's too slow when downloading. Thanks again. Linda

Hi Everyone, Haven't been able to come on these boards for a while, so have only just found this thread. I've just downloaded the "duet" and it makes interesting listening. I have always loved Gareth's version of Foolish, it's one of my fovourite tracks from GYOW, so I must congratulate Tyler James on co-writing such a brilliant song. However his recorded version is not a patch on Gareth's and this download really emphasises the superiority of Gareth's voice. Also, having seen Gareth's live version on his GYOW tour last year and Tyler's video, Gareth wins hands down when it comes to dancing. This was the first track that Gareth danced to and it was fantastic! It was obvious that Gareth was pretty chuffed with himself too and that he was doing something that his critics thought he couldn't do. Have just checked where Tyler is in the singles charts (No. 16) - I'm sure Gareth would have done much better. Looking forward to Gareth's next release. Love Linda