Teenage star Zoe Birkett is to embark on a national tour with other Pop Idol wannabes after shows at Wembley Arena sold out in two days.
But the tour of the ITV show's final ten contenders will not visit the North-East, despite it being home to both Zoe and other finalist, Geordie train driver Aaron Bayley.
The March Wembley dates were announced on the show at the weekend, when it was also revealed that the 16-year-old from Darlington will duet with Bradford teenager and best friend Gareth Gates.
Last night, Zoe told The Northern Echo, on a visit to our Darlington head office: "It's going to be really exciting. I can't wait.
"I perform so much better in front of an audience, so I'm really excited about that.
"Thousands of people screaming - it's going to be absolutely amazing."
Zoe, who reached the final four of the show, will perform two songs, plus the duet.
But Zoe and Aaron, 26, are disappointed there has been no North-East date scheduled for the tour, which is expected to take in arenas in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow.
Zoe said: "We were going to plan something, to say thank you to everyone for their support, but I'm getting whisked here and there during the week."
However, Aaron revealed that a conversation with Pop Idol judge Nicky Chapman - who is part of the 19 Management group arranging the tour - had given him hope there may yet be a show in the North-East.
He said: "There's 14 dates been booked and obviously if Glasgow sells out, they will be looking to put more dates on at different places."
Those, he hoped, could include Newcastle's Telewest Arena.
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