dorral

I think it's nice now Val that we are not getting the endless tweets and Instagram stories boasting about the shopping and restaurant trips.Gareth seems to be making the most of his time in Boston before his cruise.

Sapphire Princess is American side of P&O.so is on it's way back to do the American cruises over the winter. Britannia is going in for a refit at the beginning of October,then she will be off to the Caribbean for 6 months.Gareth will be back to his 9 hour flights again till the end of the year. I will know at the end of October from my cruise personaliser whether Gareth is in the Limelight club on my Caribbean cruise in January. P&O have a new ship called IONA (5,600) passengers launching in May 2020,Gareth has been asked by the cruise entertainment manager to perform on her.(Don't know whether he is)

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Winsford

Thanks Chris, lovely interview.

The majority of people said you should give the ring back,Nicola McLean on the panel said No it was a gift ,she should sell it and have a luxury holiday to rub it in.(that's what she did to a diamond merchant she was engaged to once) People,except one women who phoned in said it should be given back,Storm who is presenter on the show said definitely give it back as it's not a gift but a promise of marriage.

Channel 5 Later this morning they are going to discuss Gareth Gates asking for the engagement ring back(even though they say he's denied it). Asking if the panel think it's right to give the ring back when a couple break up.

I am beginning to wonder if the breakup was a set up for all this publicity.

As soon as I hear someone on the ship mention GG I start to listen,there were comments about him being such a nice Guy how much they enjoyed his show and how talented he is.Also,how lovely his mum is ,I even heard one lady telling someone that when Missy was on with him and his mum last year she performed as well,they said she nearly stole the show from him. When Gareth got off the ship in Antigua Chesney Hawkes boarded,he travels from America where he now lives to perform in the Limelight. Claire Sweeny boarded in Ponta Delgada she had her little boy and mum with her. Both Chesney Hawkes and Claire Sweeny did a show in the main theatre called an " Audience With" where people and the entertainment manager asked them questions about their time in Show Biz. Gareth would not be able to do this.

Just back from another lovely cruise,this time it was more relaxing as Britannia was cruising back to Southampton after 5 1/2 months in the Caribbean..We had a week around the Caribbean Islands,then crossed the Atlantic for 5days to Ponta Delgada then 3 days at sea to Southampton. The morning after we arrived in Barbados I was at Breakfast picking up a Banana and at the same time Gareth was also picking one up,I didn't realise it was him until he spoke to me. He was on his own,he gave me a hug and asked when I'd arrived,we had a conversation about the long plane journey,9hours plus 4 hours at the airport because we were delayed.I told him we were going to the Limelight club on Monday night. Saw him around the ship always on his own,he always waved or said hello.On the Monday morning at breakfast my sister said Gareth was sat by himself behind me in a corner,she said he kept looking at his phone and writing things down. On Monday night we went to the Limelight club,the table we were given was right at the side of the venue behind a post,, so I went to the head waiter and said I wasn't sittiing there I couldn't see properly, I'd booked 6weeks before the cruise and got the worst seats, he had a waiter set another table for us in the aisle near the front.The format was the same as usual starter and main then Gareth did 15 mins,we had a sweet and coffee then Gareth came on for 45mins. set List.Piano- I believe I can Fly, Yesterday. Sang-My Girl, Suspicous Minds. 2nd part -Piano- Dance with my Father, (So in Love,Dancing in the dark, Perfect Tonight,) True Colours,Faith,Valerie,Anyone of Us, Unchained Melody,All night Long, How am I supposed to live without you(Michael Bolton) Footloose ,Browneyed Girl, Spirit in the Sky, Mustang Sally. I missed Pete as I think Gareth did,Simon was his Guitarist he was a lot older, he has been on the cruise before with Gareth though. A lady was on the floor dancing by herself,Gareth went on the floor to dance with her,he soon went back on stage as she was drunk,he then asked for someone to sing Spirit in the Sky with him she joined him on stage sang with her arms round his neck,then wouldn't get off,Gareth was laughing as she nearly fell of the stage,he said let me help you down. After the show Gareth came out to a long line of people wanting photographs.I waited till the end to see him,the first thing he said to me was "What did you think of the show Doris" ( A couple walked out before he was half way through) I said it was Brilliant and you only had to hear the applause and cheers at the end to know that. I said to Gareth that I had some requests from Fans on GPG he smiled and said " go on then" I asked him not to give up Musical theatre or gigs in the Uk as not everyone can go on a cruise,he smiled and said "I know that" I told him we were updating GPG could someone do the same with his site.Fans would also like more info when gigs are posted.(didn't get an answer) Gareth thanked my sister for coming back,she told him laughing that he was costing her a lot of money because i made her go,I told him not to believe her as on the plane home in January she said to me, as soon as we get home I'll book for Gareth in the Limelight club. He laughed and put his hand on his heart ,and said "Thankyou" Some of the comments after the show when people were talking were. Brilliant as He doesn't have any music just the guitar. The best show I've seen on this ship. His stammer stops him from talking to much to the audience. He is such a nice guy.

Had a great time last night ,Gareth was amazing,Pete was not with him it was Simon on guitar, sang a few new songs,have the set list,his reception at the end was fantastic, he sold lots of CDs the queue for photographs at the end was so long,most of the men there were in the queue as well. .Gareth on the way home now.

Arrived in Barbados yesterday, In St Lucia today, met Gareth at Breakfast had a nice chat and he ,gave me a big hug. Said To him that I don't know how he can keep doing the 9 hour plane journey to the Caribbean.He said it was a drag but worth it when you get here.Going to see him in the Limelight tomorrow night.

Thanks Chris,Love this song,.

I wonder if Gareth has been able to board Britannia in Antigua,according to people on Britannia chat she's still at sea with engine trouble and is unable to dock there. When the problem has been fixed the ship is going to Martinique tomorrow, instead of having a sea day.

Just read the O k magazine Heather, it says that Gareth asked Kelly at the engagement party if she would get ordained and marry them.It Says she has agreed,for the rest of the night Gareth called her Reverend Willoughby Must admit though I don't like the article in OK about the engagement Party.

You don't have to be ordained to marry someone,people train to be registrars,just have to have a good education,lots of people train after they have left their main vocation. When my son and his wife married in a hotel, the registrar who turned up to marry them was their headmaster at school,he had retired from teaching and trained as a registrar.,If Kelly has trained as Registrar she would be able to marry Gareth and Faye .

Wendy told me that on the plane going over to Barbados Gareth counted up his perfomances on P&O this year and it was 90 G.was selling CDs again, he sold quite a few again on the night I was there. Wendy also said(laughing) that they were all sunbathing in the Adults only Quiet area, a lady said to a waiter selling the Limelight club "I wouldn't pay £35 to see GG. if it was Rod Stewart I might" Gareth had his back to her and just smiled. On all P&O ships when you sail away in the evening from a port they have a sailaway Party,on the last port before heading home they have a "Great British Sailaway* the Captain comes down and joins in. a lot more people attend this Party.They play songs from around the UK.it is quite emotional.I have a new phone took some videos so will try and post a couple (never done it before)

Returned from a fantastic cruise on Saturday,Gareth boarded the ship the same day as us he was with Pete and Wendy. I met them several times round the ship and ashore,they always either waved or stopped and had a few words with us. When we went to the Muster station to have lifeboat drill they were there.( no matter how many times you have cruised,by law you have to take your lifejacket from the cabin and put it on at your designated muster Station,also the captain goes through the drill in case there is an emergency,this has to be done before the ship can sail) On the first day waiters were going round the ship trying to sell the various places you can eat for an additional charge,with the Limelight club all artists were available except Gareth,his 5 nights were sold out. I explained the set up of the Limelight club last year, we were lucky again with our table but not quite as near as last year.Gareth waved when he came on. Gareth wore the same outfit as he did for our night last year only he had socks and proper shoes on Here are the songs he sang. First half Piano - Breathe, I believe I can Fly,Yesterday. Sang - Sunshine on a cloudy Day, My Girl, Suspicious mind. We had Dessert and coffee, the wine waiters went round for drink orders again,no food or Drink are served whilst the Artists perform. Wendy came in and sat at the Bar . I had a lovely chat with her in the interval whilst waiting for Gareth to start his 2nd set,she said she will be on Pricess and Britannia with Missy. The picture of other artists are the ones on the next cruise in the Limelight as you can see Gareth is the only one you pay £35 for.I have edited some pics and put them together Second Set Piano - Dance with my Father Again. Sang- Waiting for a girl like you, Perfect, True colours(which he dedicated to his Mum ) Faith, Valerie ,stupid Mistake, Unchained Melody, Footloose, Brown Eyed Girl, Spirit in the Sky, Don't stop me now. When he got to Spirit in the Sky he said "sadly this is the last song, this is for you Doris" (Laughing) (when I saw him at the Panto I told G I was on the cruise again,said please don't ask me to sing Spirit in the sky with you this time) I have never seen Gareth so relaxed and talkative with the audience and Pete, he had Pete doing a jig at one point.When he sang Brown eyed Girl, him and Pete got on the dance floor and said they were going to dance ,about 6 girls rushed on the floor to dance with them,G and Pete got back on stage and said "good we don't have to dance now" gareth did get back on the floor and sang whilst they danced. When G sang Unchained Melody on 2 words his voice was silent,Pete's face showed concern,but Gareth carried on and was fine after that. I didn't see anyone taking pictures during the show so I didn;t like to,when the girls were dancing I did manage a couple.. I asked Gareth about when he performed on Princess cruises, when we have been on Princess the acts only do 2 shows on one night,they had something different every night.. Gareth said even though he may be on the ship for 5 days he will only do two shows on one night in the main theatre. My sister asked on the plane coming home if we were going to see Gareth again in March when were on Britannia,She has booked for March 18th.

Gareth was amazing on Tuesday,Pete and his mum are also on the cruise with him.Gareth and Pete have a lot more confidence than when we saw them on the first show last year.Gareth leaving the cruise today.Will write a full report with songs when I get home. I was told by the one of the entertainment team when I asked why they were charging £35 for Gareth when for other artists its £25,he said Gareth has set record sales for the Limelight club,all his shows were fully booked on the first day. We are in Dominca today temp.30'

Arrived in Barbados safely,going to see Gareth Tuesday 22nd,as we have several tours booked before. .Gareth 's evenings have increased to £35 each,all the other artists are still £25. Had great difficulty accessing the Internet today,so don't know when I can update again.

i agree with you ValR, If one can't say anything nice don't comment at all.

On the Britannia closed group, people are asking who they should book to see in the Limelight club out of the 4 artists on their cruise.If Gareth is on that cruise people say they must see him as he is Brilliant,alsothey should book before they go as lots of people were disappointed last year as all his shows were fully booked.I go next week so will follow their advice. Comments about Gareth say how nice and friendly he is he always makes sure he stays after the show and sees everyone who wants pictures with him. This comment is one mans advice to people " you’ll have a blast. GG is the best act on the ship! "

Gareth In Las Vegas.

Chris asked me to post these pics of Gareth in LA,taken from his Instagram

On the Britannia Facebook closed group, people are talking about the Limelight club and who they should book to see whilst on board . I'm amazed at the comments about Gareth. Some people are disappointed he will not be on their cruise as they wanted to see him.Others who have seen Gareth are saying if you get a chance to see him on the cruise then go.The comments are that his shows are " Brilliant" "Amazing" and he is so lovely and friendly, not one negative comment. Some of the other artists performing have mixed comments. .