Ed Balls broke down in tears on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain after thanking singer Gareth Gates for inspiring him to following his passion and not allow his stammer to hold him back.<\/p>\n
The Pop Idol winner found fame on the talent show in 2002 and has just won Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.<\/p>\n
He chatted to Ed and co-host Susanna Reid on Wednesday about the win and Ed took the opportunity to thank him in an emotional moment.<\/p>\n
“You will be a role model to people watching,” Susanna told the 39-year-old.<\/p>\n
“You inspired me, you really did,” Ed explained, adding: “I thought, ‘If Gareth Gates can do this, I can too and if he can be public, I can be public too.’<\/p>\n
“And it was really hard but I did it because you showed me how to do it.”<\/p>\n
“Thank you, thank you for saying that,” a touched Gareth replied before confessing: “It means a lot.”<\/p>\n
“I feel privileged just to be here in between you both,” Susanna commented as Ed fought back tears.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Noticing Ed’s emotional response, Susanna placed a comforting arm on his shoulder as Gareth commented: “Bless you, mate.”<\/p>\n “Can you have a hug?” Susanna asked as Gareth stood up to comfort Ed.<\/p>\n “Thank you so much,” Ed stated as he and Gareth hugged in a moving moment.<\/p>\n “Nothing – nothing – to be ashamed of,” Susanna reiterated. “It’s to be proud of, it’s part of your identity, isn’t it?”<\/p>\n “That’s right,” Gareth agreed before Susanna turned to her co-star and added: “He broke the ground for you, didn’t he?”<\/p>\n “Wow, wow,” the singer responded as Ed nodded.<\/p>\n He went on to explain the feeling was mutual as he continued: “And you’re a role model for me now too.”<\/p>\n Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n