Katie Price calls Gareth Gates the 'one that got away' 24 years after taking his virginity

Katie Price's life has been a series of highs and lows, with a love life that's had more twists and turns than a Nollywood soap opera. But 24 years after taking the virginity of then-17-year-old Gareth Gates, the reality TV star has revisited their fleeting romance, calling him the "one that got away." It's a title that's been etched in British pop culture history since 2002, when Price, then going by Jordan, rebounded from her short relationship with Harvey's father, Dwight Yorke, by sleeping with the Pop Idol singer.

Revisiting the scandal, Price claimed that Gareth ghosted her, leaving her family to ponder what could have been. "Imagine meeting someone 25 years ago and then they sort of ghost you," she said at the launch event for her docuseries, according to The Sun. "Gareth Gates is the one that got away. Katie was pregnant at the time of the fling, and her pregnancy added a layer of notoriety to the scandal. The singer had initially denied their fling, later explaining that he hadn't wanted his family to find out and had been concerned for his career.

In an interview for Price's docuseries, Gareth shared new details about the romance. Speaking about the romance previously, Gareth shared on The Big Reunion: ‘I denied the whole Jordan thing because I was 17, I didn’t want my family to find out about my sex life. ‘If I hadn’t lied it wouldn’t have been a big deal, my family, friends and fans wouldn’t have felt as let down I guess For me I was very young, I had to say I don’t want to have a long-term relationship at this age, so she sold the story, and I said it was all lies.’

The scandal surrounding Price and Gates' romance has left a lasting impact on both their careers. For Price, it was a defining moment in her transition from glamour model to reality TV star. For Gates, it was a reminder of the challenges of being a young celebrity in the spotlight. The scandal has also raised questions about the portrayal of young women in the media, particularly those who are pregnant or single.

• Katie Price took Gareth Gates' virginity in 2002 when she was pregnant with her first child, Harvey.
• Gareth denied the fling at the time, citing concerns for his career and family.
• Price has rarely spoken about the romance in the years since, but has defended sleeping with Gates.
• Gareth will appear in a later episode of Price's docuseries, Katie Price: Nothing to Hide.

As I reflect on this story, I'm struck by the complexities of celebrity culture and the ways in which scandal can both define and destroy a career. While Price's docuseries may shed new light on the romance, it's clear that the scandal surrounding their relationship will continue to be a source of fascination for years to come.

In the end, it's clear that Katie Price's relationship with Gareth Gates was a defining moment in her career, one that continues to shape her public image to this day. As for Gareth, it's a reminder that even the most well-intentioned actions can have unintended consequences, and that the complexities of celebrity culture can be both thrilling and toxic.