Gareth Gates – just dropped by his record label – has become the latest failed reality TV star.

Despite the Pop Idol star's early success, Song BMG let him go yesterday.

“The record label felt there was no way for them to take Gareth’s career forward," said a spokesman. "He had been working hard on trying to relaunch himself with a new sound and new image.

“But his latest material wasn’t strong enough to compete with fresh talent being churned out on programmes like X Factor.”

The singer's story will apparently join those of Steve Brookstein, Michelle McManus, Darius Danesh and many more as reality TV stars turned pop failures.