Singing sensation Zoe Birkett "popped" back to school yesterday. But with offers of recording contracts already coming in, she's extremely unlikely to have to return to the classroom full-time.

Pop Idol finalist Zoe, 16, was back at Carmel RC Technology College, in Darlington, to record a sequence for this Saturday's show.

She was surrounded by her friends as she showed the film crew around the school, where she is a sixth form student.

She revealed that - win or lose in the television contest, which has become a national obsession - she has already been offered a number of record deals.

She said: "I have had some offers already, but I can't do anything until I know where I get to on the show.

"Obviously, if something comes of it then I will have a new career, but I could still end up back at college.

"At the moment, I am just taking it a day at a time and enjoying being treated like a star.

"It is great to come back and see my friends and my home. I miss it all when I'm away. I just wish I could have stayed longer."

Zoe has received praise from Pop Idol judges, viewers and the production team on the show, who have congratulated her for her down-to-earth attitude to life.

Yesterday, she burst into tears when she was asked to sing in a special assembly by headmaster James O'Neill.

Mr O'Neill said: "Zoe has appeared in all our performances and took the lead role of Dazzle Star, in Dazzle, last year. Through all this she did her GCSEs and got excellent results and now she is studying A-levels.

"We are extremely proud of Zoe. We look forward to seeing her get through on Saturday and then getting through to being the winner."

Former head of music at Carmel, Andrew Ramsey, made a special visit to the school to see Zoe in action as she performed If I Loved You, from Carousel.

After receiving a standing ovation from her school friends and teachers, Zoe was whisked back to London for more rehearsals for Saturday's show.

As she left she said: "I would like to thank everyone in Darlington for giving me so much support.

"This has been the most amazing few weeks. I am loving every minute of it."