Pop sensation Gareth Gates has joined the star-studded line-up of musicians who will be entertaining guests at a glittering awards ceremony to honour the region’s best entertainment venues.
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The 22-year-old music maestro, who shot to fame in national talent search Pop Idol, will be performing at the  Express & Star Spotlight Awards next month.
After three years out of the spotlight Bradford-born Gareth has shot back into the public eye with a new mature sound and the release of haunting new single Changes.
Tickets are still up for grabs for the for the awards ceremony, which will be taking place at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall on May 6.
Venues from across the Black Country and Staffordshire have been competing for the prestigious awards, which are being voted for by Express & Star readers and Heart FM listeners.

Steve Denyer, morning presenter on Heart FM said: “Gareth is one of the most in demand guests on TV shows at the moment. Everyone is talking about his return and it is great to have him performing at this year’s Express & Star Spotlight Awards.”
Gareth will be taking to the stage alongside chart-topping funk act Brand New Heavies, who have been in the spotlight for more than 20 years.
Singer Ross Copperman - touted as the next Robbie Williams - will also be performing.
The 24-year-old, originally from Virginia, has already soared to number in the iTunes download charts with his debut single As I Choke, and is hoping to repeat the success when the single hits the shelves of the shops on May 7.
Launched last year the Spotlight Awards, sponsored by Black Country Tourism and supported by Heart FM and Wolves Civic, has seen thousands of readers and listeners voting for their favourite venues in preparation for the dazzling ceremony.
Venues are competing in different categories including: best pub; best bar; best cinema; best eating places – pub, casual, posh nosh; best club night, best concert venue – small, medium, large; best theatre; best takeaway; best day out  and best social club.
The evening will be compered by Heart FM’s main daytime presenters and further guest celebrities will be announced over the next couple of weeks.
Seats in the balcony cost just £5 with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30 start and after the ceremony the party continues with a disco until midnight. Money from ticket sales will be handed over to the Variety Club Midlands who raise funds for disadvantaged children.
Tickets can be bought from the Midlands Box Office in Queen Square, Wolverhampton, on 0870 320 7000 or from the reception at Heart FM on Broad Street in Birmingham.