The British Take That singer and X Factor judge moved to Los Angeles after being dropped by Sony BMG after his second album flopped, and told hopefuls on the show how the city helped him beat his depression.
The Sun reported that as the boys he is mentoring arrived Stateside, he told them, 'This is a very special place for me as in 1999 when I lost my record deal I didn't know what to do. So I came to LA to start again and to think about everything.
'Being here took me back to the music, which is what it has always been about.
'This town is full of music, and I hope you find yourselves in the same way that I did.'
His eight contestants will now spend time at Gary's rented villa where his Take That bandmate Robbie Williams will help him chose his final four.