A PRACTICAL joke has turned a North-East man into an overnight singing sensation with a growing army of fans.

As a bit of joke, John Davies and Joe Smyth decided to put amateur crooner Fintan O'Rourke on a website, called MP3.com.

The website, which allows musicians around the world to try out their songs in public, is even used by established bands to give fans a taster of forthcoming releases.

However, what started off as a joke has backfired, and Fintan is at number 23 in the global charts, number two in the easy listening, number one, two and three in the love songs charts and number one, two and four in the European listings after receiving more than 11,000 hits in a week.

Mr O'Rourke, from Hartlepool, wrote the songs himself and although embarrassed at first, now admits he quite enjoys the compliments he receives from new fans.

He said: "It was a complete surprise to me that they had done it and I was embarrassed about the whole thing, but it is quite nice to know so many people have listened to your songs and enjoyed them.

"I have had a few people ask me if they can cover them, which is a big compliment.

"It would be nice if someone did release one of my songs because I don't think I really am pop-star material."

There are four songs on the site You're Always On My Heart, All On My Own Again, A Love Song and Before I Say Goodbye.

Mr O'Rourke, 35, said: "I do not always write them with myself in mind and it would be great if someone like Zoe from Pop Idol sang one as she has a fantastic voice."

Mr Smyth said: "I think we have released a monster. There is going to be no dealing with him now.

"Seriously though, he has done really well. We did not expect it to go this well."