Pop Idol reject Aaron Bayley has finally shunted his day job into a siding.

The train driver has picked up his last pay check - for £24 - so he can earn big bucks as a rock star.

Aaron, 26, of Walkerdene, Newcastle, loved his job but after a brief spell in the limelight he couldn't bear to go back. His first job after ditching his career will be to go on a 14-date stadium tour with the other nine Pop Idol finalists.

He will earn at least oe1,500 for each show and hopes it will catapult him into the big time.

Aaron said: "Arriva have been great, they gave me unpaid leave to do the show.

"But I always said I wanted to follow my dream. I had held back from quitting but I have finally bitten the bullet.

"I got my final pay slip for £24 but I haven't spent it all yet.

"I'll probably blow it on beers when I go out for my leaving do with the lads from work.

"I will be going down to the Pop Idol final. It will be a night of emotions. I wish I was in the last two but I don't envy them the pressure they are under now."

Despite his dream of fame, Aaron is determined to remember his Geordie roots.

At the weekend he will be opening a new Asda store at Cramlington, near Newcastle - and turned down an appearance at London's Dorchester Hotel so he could be there.