SINGING sensation Zoe Birkett has been praised by the latest Pop Idol hopeful to be voted off the ITV show.

Hayley Evetts, 25, left the show on Saturday after her performance of That Ole Devil Called Love failed to impress the viewers.

Her departure means Darlington teenager Zoe is down to the last four in the show - and is now the only girl in the competition.

After Saturday's show, Hayley said: "Zoe really has the most amazing voice for her age. She sounds so composed. I can't imagine how brilliant her voice will be when she's older.

"She never seems to get nervous, she just belts her heart out. If she doesn't win, she'll still go on to be a big success."

Zoe's performance on Saturday, when she sang Get Happy, was praised by the show's judges as the best they had heard during the whole competition.

Her performance improved her odds and she is now third most popular, with Darius Danesh set to be voted off the next show, although it will be the closest week in the competition.

At a Press conference Zoe said: "'I'd like to think that something will come out of this experience for all of us. If nothing happens at least I've lived my dream - I'll go back to college and continue my studies.''

The Northern Echo has backed 16-year-old Zoe since she started in the competition and scores of readers have been in touch to tell us how they are backing her bid for stardom.

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