A Doris Day impersonator's big moment on ITV's Stars In Their Eyes ended up with her appearing in court yesterday accused of assault.

Caroline Bell, 34, featured on the show in May, singing the 1960s hit Move Over Darling.

But since the show was screened, Caroline and her family have had their lives turned upside down, culminating in an appearance before magistrates yesterday.

An accusation of common assault was withdrawn, but after the hearing, the newspaper sales executive told how her 15 minutes of fame had led to months of misery.

She and husband Tony, 34, had lived peacefully in Cramlington, Northumberland, for ten years before she successfully auditioned for the show.

Within days of her TV appearance, she says she was being taunted in the street and physically assaulted.

Both she and her husband are now off work suffering from stress.

South East Northumberland magistrates heard that Caroline assaulted neighbour Julie Sealey, 35, in a shopping centre in Cramlington on August 1.

The charge was withdrawn and the same charge against Julie Sealey was also discontinued.

After the hearing, Caroline said: "The appearance on Stars In Their Eyes changed my life, but it was certainly not for the better.

"Before I went on the show I lived a normal peaceful life in a nice street with good neighbours.

"But everything changed in May because people couldn't seem to handle the fact that I had done something different. There was a lot of jealousy."

Caroline's big moment in front of an audience of millions followed years of local stage appearances.

She was beaten by Freddie Mercury impersonator Gary Mullen, who went on to win the final.

Caroline added: "I enjoyed my time in the spotlight and I got a lovely letter from Doris Day. But after all that has happened, I really don't know whether it was worth it."