12 November 2023 , 22:47
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Singer Gareth Gates has bravely spoken out after revealing he was 'bullied and verbally abused' by passengers on board a cruise.
The singer, who recently won Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, opened up about being mocked for his stutter by three female passengers on board a P&O cruise. The Pop Idol star revealed the passengers, who were staying next door to Gareth and his partner, would childishly mimick his speech impediment by stuttering David Bowie's hit Changes.
Speaking in a video on Instagram, Gareth told his 116,000 followers that it's been "constant verbal abuse" as he labelled it "relentless".
Gareth Gates opened up about being 'constantly bullied and verbally abused' by passengers on board a P&O cruise
The singer told followers that he felt it was important to 'speak up' against bullyingIn his video, Gareth explained: "Every time we've been out on our balcony... it's been constant verbal abuse. They started by [stuttering] the song Changes by David Bowie and it progressed on to 'G G G Gareth Gates'. It's gotten worse and worse. I'm more than used to this and can handle it and at first I was like 'Let's just leave it' but three days is relentless. It was three girls in that cabin, the same age as my mum."
Gareth told his followers that the women were spoken to by P&O bosses and given a warning after his partner Alanna Taylor, confronted them. He continued: "I could hardly head round there myself as it was three women, so my other half said 'Look, I've had enough of this' and went round and politely asked them to stop and it actually worked."
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Sharing his story whilst on board the cruise with the sea as a backdrop, Gareth added that he'd 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 the person that you're taking the Mick out of can hear, takes a completely different person.
Gareth Gates won Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins earlier this month (PA)"If you are those three women in cabin 8206 on my ship then shame on you, we've heard your conversations. You obviously have kids and grandkids so what kind of example are you letting to your children? Let's stand up to bullying."
Gareth's video was flooded with support for bravely speaking up. Singer Becki Hill commented: "Fair play to ur lady for politely going round & asking them to stop… i wouldn't have been so nice."
Actor and Strictly star Will Mellor wrote: "Some people feel the need to do this to take the attention away from how sad they are!!! Glad your partner said something. Enjoy the rest of your holiday pal."
Danielle Lloyd, who appeared on the gruelling military show alongside Gareth, sent her message of support as she wrote: "Shame on them Gareth your so strong and an amazing person. Sadly in life there will always be people who are unhappy with themselves and have to try being others down!!! Raise above it my darling" followed by a red heart emoji.