POP Idol's Zoe Birkett knew she was on track to stardom when she had to stow away in a train luggage compartment to escape screaming fans.

The teen sensation, who made it to the final four on the hit show, was forced to hide among the baggage to avoid mobs of admirers.

Zoe, 16, said: "I was on a train on my way back home to Darlington and my mum had to shove me in the compartment with all the suitcases so no one could get to me.

"There were all these fans and it just got a bit out of control. Another time I fell asleep on the train and was woken by clicking and flashing lights and people were taking pictures of me while I was asleep.

"The attention I have had since Pop Idol is unbelievable."