The spikey-haired Bradford lad was delighted to see mum Wendy there for his acoustic performance at HMV in the Headrow Centre, and told the crowd it was "really great" to be back in Yorkshire.

Gareth, 22, met devoted fans as he celebrated the release of his "comeback" single Changes with the first of three free gigs and signings at HMV in Leeds, Bradford and Sheffield.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "It was a really, really good turnout. It was great. I wasn't expecting that amount of people. They were really welcoming – it was lovely."

Stammer

The former choirboy was just 17 when he won the hearts of the nation with his angelic charm and determination to conquer his stammer in TV talent show Pop Idol in 2002.

He lost to Will Young but still enjoyed massive success with four number one singles.

But he was ditched by record label Sony BMG when record sales dropped following glamour girl Jordan's revelation she'd had a three-month affair with Gareth when she was pregnant.

During his first year out of the limelight he focused on speech therapy course The McGuire Programme - becoming a mentor for other stammerers, and later focused on writing new material.

It was clear from the enthusiastic screaming from around 200 fans of all ages yesterday that many had never given up hoping he would return.

Gareth said: "Three years is a long time for them to be still supporting me – it's really incredible."

He flung his arms around his mum and dedicated his first song to her, Angel on my Shoulder, then treated the crowd to three more from forthcoming album Pictures Of The Other Side.

He said it had been "liberating" writing his own songs as in the past he was "never really given that freedom".

He was in Bradford and Sheffield today.