A FESTIVAL with a noughties pop star has been cancelled days before the event.
Singer Gareth Gates, 39, was due to headline Challenge Festival in Bradford this weekend.
The singer, who has sold over 3.5 million records in the UK, was going to appear on stage at Mrytle Park in Bingley alongside other acts like Peter Andre.
But the organisers of the free music event shared that their reason was due to "safety concerns".
They shared on Instagram: "We have had to cancel The Challenge Festival over safety concerns.
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"Another great event cancelled because of unrealistic demands such as fencing a woodland area in case of fire amongst many others.
"We will put more details up later, totally gutted, 1000s of hours and thousands of pounds wasted."
Bradford Council's safety advice group said: "Public safety must be a priority at any event."
Gareth, who is was born in Bradford, rose to fame on Pop Idol in 2002.
He placed second on the show, behind winner Will Young.
Over the years he's released three studio albums, starred in three successful tours and won a number of awards for his music.
The star has also appeared in various theatre shows including Joseph and The Technicolour Dream Coat, Les Misérables and Sleeping Beauty.
Fans were devastated about the news.
One wrote on Facebook: "What a shame."
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Another fumed: "This is an absolute joke!"
"This is so sad to hear, a third chimed in.
It was revealed today that a local rugby club has allowed to acts to perform in front of the excited crowd.
Last month Gareth posed with his rarely seen daughter Missy – as he wished her a happy 15th birthday.
Gareth captioned the wholesome snap: "Happy Birthday to my beautiful little lady @missygates_x.
The star shares his daughter with ex-wife Suzanne Mole.
