POP Idol Gareth Gates was in Swindon to help people with speech impediments.
Gareth, a runner-up in the ITV talent programme Pop Idol was visiting the town with the McGuire programme, a scheme to help people with speech problems solve them through the use of special breathing exercises.
The courses were held in the town for four days, and Gareth, pictured right, who conquered a severe stammer and recently became a speech therapist, gave his first lessons teaching some of the 100 students who attended the course.
He also found time to meet some of his fans in Swindon Town centre.
Matt Wilton, who runs the McGuire programme in the South of England said: "We do courses in Swindon every year.
"This year Gareth taught his first ever course in Swindon, and we had around 100 students at the course while we were in the town."
The McGuire Programme works by teaching those with speech impediments, and in particular stuttering. The course works by getting people to breathe differently releasing the vocal chords.
Students are then sent onto the streets as a public speaking exercise asking people for directions to build their confidence.
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