He lost out on the Pop Idol crown, and now it looks like Gareth Gates may be losing all credibility as a pop star as well.

Despite losing the popular singing contest at the final hurdle, with his baby face and stutter, Gareth won the title of the nations sweetheart. But with years drifed past since we last heard so much as a squeak from the pop star, that title has long faded, along with his once booming pop career.

The 27-year-old recently revealed he is set to show off his vocal talents once again, not on TV or even a respectable festival stage, but on board a cruse ship.

The P&O’s Oceana is booked to set sail from Southampton to Belgium next month, with Gareth hired as one of the many entertainment staff they have on deck to amuse the holiday makers.

Gareth, who has impressively sold more than 3.5 million records in the UK, said: “I’ve never been on a cruise ship before but i’ve always wanted to, so this will be a fantastic experience for me.”

New’s of his voyage comes as Will Young – who beat Gareth in the public vote and scooped up the Pop Idol crown in 2002 – releases his fith album, Echoes.