CALL it fate. Call it bad luck. Call it what you want. But thousands of North-East TV viewers gave a collective moan as the results of Saturday night's Pop Idol voting were announced.

The North-East's very own Zoe Birkett was voted off the show, having made the final four of the contest.

Unless you've been living on Mars for the past month, you can't help but have been wrapped up in the show.

It has taken the nation by storm, and whoever turns out to be the eventual winner, all of the final five contestants are reckoned to be looking at lucrative careers in the music industry.

And no one more so than Zoe, who has carried the flag of the North-East and particularly her home town of Darlington.

Music moguls are predicting bigger and better things for the 16-year-old A-level student, with rumours suggesting she has already signed a lucrative record contract.

It is not so much a case of "so close and yet so far" for Zoe, more a case of "so close and look how far she'll go".

But while the rest of the country works itself into a frenzy over the teenager's future, Zoe and her family are keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

Zoe's mother, Tracey, said: "At the moment, there just seems to be so much going on that we haven't had a chance to sit down and talk about her future.

"She hasn't a minute to stop, and although we're obviously disappointed she's been knocked out of Pop Idol, the future does look exciting, whatever it holds."

Zoe's untimely departure from the hit show brought tributes from high-profile figures in the region.

Century Radio DJ Paul "Goffy" Gough said: "She may have been knocked out but she is destined for bigger and better things.

"She is a real talent and I'm sure she is going to go on to become a fantastic solo artist. I can imagine the offers are pouring in."

Zoe also received support from none other than millionaire George Reynolds and his wife Susan, who are hoping she will attend the opening of Darlington's new football stadium.

Mr Reynolds said: "Zoe has been a revelation, and really raised the profile of Darlington, which is absolutely marvellous.

"She shouldn't get downhearted about being knocked out, which we're gutted about, but should pick herself up and prove everybody wrong - and show us just how talented she is. She's going to be a big star."

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