Pop Idol star Gareth Gates is still battling with his stammer despite taking on a role in an award-winning musical.
The singer, who shot to fame in 2002 when he was famously voted runner-up in the first series of Pop Idol, told Sky News he has to have a speech coach on set when doing interviews.
"It's an ongoing thing with my speech. I have ups and downs when I'm stressed or nervous about live interviews. I have someone there for me to do a warm-up," Gates told Sky's Eamonn Holmes.
"In theatre now I'm acting a lot more which is a great challenge for me."
The 28-year-old is starring in Legally Blonde The Musical alongside actress Jennifer Ellison.
Following three years at the Savoy Theatre, it has finished its West End run and is touring the UK.
Gates has performed in musicals before, including A Spoonful Of Stiles And Drewe, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Les Miserables.
Prior to his stage career he sold 3.5 million records in the UK alone, releasing three albums and four UK number 1 singles.
