POP Idol star Gareth Gates is set to perform in a Clydebank bingo hall.

The 2002 Pop Idol runner-up will perform a collection of his hits at Kilbowie Retail Park’s Club 3000 on Friday night.

Some Bankies might be thinking “say it isn’t so” but it is, and staff at the bingo hall are excited for what the evening will hold.

Tickets are selling fast and the bingo hall’s general manager David Pearson is expecting a “fantastic night”.

“It should be a really, really good night,” David said. “He’s played at a number of our clubs.”

Those who head along will get the chance to meet the English singer-songwriter and performer, whom David says is more than happy to speak to his fans.

He added: “He comes across as a really nice guy, chatting away to the staff and customers. He’s not aloof.

“It’s not just about him coming up on stage and singing, people will genuinely have the chance to meet him.”

Gareth was a popular contestant on ITV’s first series of Pop Idol but eventually lost out to Will Young in the final.

However, he went on to sell more than 3.5million records in the UK and is also known for his work in musical theatre.

He has already performed at eight branches of Club 3000 across the UK and excitement is increasing as the man who starred in stage show Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat prepares to include Clydebank in the list of places he has visited.

David continued: “We have sold quite a few tickets. People get involved, I’ve seen stuff on Facebook from the other clubs and they’re all up singing and dancing. It goes down really well.”

He also admitted it’s not often that Club 3000 welcomes such a big name, with Gareth also

having appeared in other top London West End productions such as Les Miserables.

David said: “We don’t normally have someone as big as this at bingo halls. He’s gone down a storm.

“It will be a fantastic night. There will be some fantastic prize money with three £1,000 houses, it’s not something we do regularly.

“It’s a great night with Gareth, a chance to win fantastic prize money and party on into the night.”

Eyes down on the night will be 7.30pm and Gareth is set to take to the stage for his performance at 9pm.