Gareth Gates Hair Transplant: The Full Story Behind His New Hairline
The Pop Idol runner-up didn't hide from the hair-loss headlines — he talked through the whole process, from the comb-over comments to the operating table.
Confirmed, in detail, by Gates himself. Gareth Gates underwent an FUE hair transplant in October 2017 at KSL Clinic in Maidstone, addressing a receding hairline that had drawn public comments after a TV appearance earlier that year. He discussed the decision openly before and after the procedure, and later had a PRP follow-up treatment in 2021.
Gareth Gates first became a household name as the 2002 Pop Idol runner-up, known as much for his spiky hairstyle as his voice. Years later, a very different hairstyle moment put him back in the headlines — this time for thinning hair and a heavily discussed comb-over during a 2017 appearance on This Morning.
What followed wasn't years of speculation, but a fairly quick, public decision to do something about it.
Who Is Gareth Gates? Quick Profile
| Full Name | Gareth Gates |
|---|---|
| Known For | 2002 Pop Idol runner-up; singer, West End performer |
| Hometown | Bradford, England |
| Records Sold | Reported 3.5 million in the UK |
| Procedure Date | October 2017 |
| Clinic | KSL Clinic, Maidstone, Kent |
Full Timeline
Gates appears on This Morning with a swept-over style widely described online as a comb-over, drawing pointed comments about his thinning hair.
Gates books an FUE hair transplant at KSL Clinic, speaking to press beforehand about feeling both nervous and excited.
The roughly eight-hour procedure takes place, with follicles extracted from the back of the head and implanted along the frontal hairline using the no-shave FUE method.
Full results become visible as the transplanted hair matures, the typical 12–18 month timeline for FUE outcomes.
Gates undergoes a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment, commonly used to support and maintain results from an earlier transplant.
In His Own Words
Gates was unusually candid both before and after the procedure. Ahead of surgery, he described the emotional weight of the decision:
"My hair means a lot to me so I have mixed feelings at the minute — it's a big thing, but it'll definitely be worth it."
He also connected the decision directly to his career, given how often he's on stage:
"I'm constantly on stage, so image is a big, big thing for me and I have to look my best."
And he pushed back on the idea that men should feel embarrassed about cosmetic procedures, drawing a direct comparison to how openly women's aesthetic treatments are discussed:
"Women have their lips done, faces lifted or boobs done and this now is the new thing for men — and I don't think there should be any shame about it."
How This Compares to Other UK Celebrity Cases
| Person | Status | Technique | Year | Went Public? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gareth Gates | ✔ Confirmed by himself | FUE (no-shave) | 2017 | Yes, before and after |
| Jimmy Carr | ✔ Confirmed, discussed on his own show | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Yes |
| James Nesbitt | ✔ Confirmed, multiple procedures | Multiple | 2008–2017 | Yes |
| Wayne Rooney | ✔ Confirmed, multiple procedures | FUE | 2011 onward | Yes |
| Calum Best | ✔ Confirmed | FUE | 2018 | Yes |
📌 Gates fits a pattern among UK entertainers who've chosen to speak openly rather than let speculation take over — a noticeably different path than the "no comment" approach many international celebrities take.
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Try a Free AI Hair Preview →Frequently Asked Questions
Did Gareth Gates confirm his hair transplant?
Yes. He spoke to press both before and after his October 2017 procedure at KSL Clinic, and has discussed it in interviews since.
What technique did he use?
FUE with the no-shave method, over roughly eight hours at KSL Clinic in Maidstone, Kent.
Why did Gareth Gates get a hair transplant?
He cited his stage career and the confidence hit from thinning hair, and spoke about wanting to reduce stigma around men addressing hair loss.
Did he have any follow-up treatment?
Yes, reports indicate a PRP treatment in 2021 to support the results of his original transplant.
How can I see what a hair transplant might look like on my own hairline?
A hair transplant simulator lets you upload a photo and preview a result in under a minute, at no cost.
Disclaimer: Quotes in this article are drawn from Gareth Gates' own public statements to outlets including the Daily Mail and Kent Online around the time of his 2017 procedure. This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
About the Author
HairSimulate Editorial Team contributes clinical and technology-focused insights on hair restoration.