A COTSWOLD man joined pop star Gareth Gates to help children get over their stammers.

Richard Whincup, who grew up in Stow-on-the-Wold, joined the singer in Bradford to run sessions for 11 kids and their parents.

Richard, 38, struggled with a stammer himself growing up but was able to overcome it and is now been in control of his stammer for nearly 20 years.

He was delighted to be able to pass on his experience and help other children get through the difficulty of having a stammer.

"It was great to help out," said Richard. "We met in Bradford with 11 kids and offer a positivity and a change of mindset and also ran a session for their parents to help them further support their children.

"If you can inspire people to take on the challenges they have, it's powerful."

Richard, who now lives in Tewkesbury, struggled with his stammer throughout his childhood.

He was head boy at Cotswold School but was unable to make his speech but since overcoming his stammer, he revisited the school to fulfill that duty.

"I was the first head boy who couldn't do his speech," he said. "It was the best thing at the time but I went back in 2014 and did it and was on TV with the Stammer School and it was a great experience.

Growing up, Richard was known as 'Rich the Stutter.' His condition caused a lack of confidence and he often wrote things down as a way of communicating which inspired him to take a course.

"I needed a lot of support," he explained. "My mates would go up to the bar and order for me and I had to have my name on the back of my Rugby shirt so I could show the referee rather than say my name to him.

"I also had to write stuff when I was at university which was tough so I joined the Maguire Programme in 1998 and have spoken in control since 1999 and now I don't recognise the person I was. Every job I do now involves speech. I coach Rugby, do inspiration talks and spokesperson for Duke of Edinburgh."