Gareth Gates has complained that he is treated "unfairly" because of his reality TV roots.

The 22-year-old was discovered on Pop Idol in 2002 and scored seven top ten hits before being dropped by his record label.

He returned to the charts in April with 'Changes', a single which heralded a more sombre musical direction. He is is now plotting the next stage of his comeback.

He told Popjustice: "I think the nature in which I was brought into the public eye has meant that I've been labeled unfairly.

"I'm aware that I'm not taken seriously and everyone that works with me knows that we've got a lot to do to try and shift that. We are on our way to doing that and we'll just wait to see what happens."