This has been an amazing year for Zoe Birkett but 2003 is set to be even more exciting.

The 17-year-old singer from Darlington will begin the new year by releasing her first single, Treat Me Like A Lady, which she hopes will emulate the success of her Pop Idol pals Will Young, Gareth Gates and Darius.

Soon after the show, Zoe was snapped up by Simon Fuller's management company - the man who propelled The Spice Girls to super-stardom - and she is now living in a London flat.

She may be miles from home but Zoe has her mum Tracey by her side and is just ten minutes away from new best friend Gareth Gates' house.

She said: "It is exciting here but it isn't home. I still love going back to Darlington and Consett and sleeping in my own bed."

Zoe's friends have been helping her settle into her new life visiting her in the Capital for girly nights in and trips to the cinema.

She said: "My friends keep me grounded and have given me so much support. I couldn't have done this without them.

"Whatever happens with my career I won't change. I'll never be a diva."

Zoe is immensely grateful to her fans who have waited almost 12 months for her to release a single.

She said: "The fans have been great. They have kept writing and asking me to bring out a record.

"2002 was such a big year for everyone on Pop Idol that I didn't mind waiting before I did my single.

"Simon Fuller kept reminding me that I am young and have lots of time to make it big so I didn't feel pressured when the others were doing so well."

Zoe has been spending her time away from the spotlight in the studio recording and writing some of her own material.

"Everytime I go into the studio I work with people to write songs.

"I have always written poetry and it is not far to move into lyrics."

But Zoe's fans may be surprised that her first record is a pure pop tune - not a Big Band classic like those she showcased on Pop Idol.

She said: "I love dancing and it's hard to dance to Big Band songs. I do still love that sound and I will record some songs one day but I have decided to make the most of the fact I am only 17 and make pop music."

As well as changing musical direction, Zoe has had a make-over, losing her trade-mark braids and gaining a more funky style which she showed off when she performed Treat me like a Lady on Children In Need.

She will sing it again on the Saturday Show this weekend.

She said: "I am in rehearsals for Saturday's Top of the Pops and it will be really different to Children In Need when I performed outside in the middle of the night.

"I have four dancers who I have been rehearsing with and I am looking forward to getting on stage and singing the new song.

"I did a slot as a guest presenter on The Saturday Show and I am excited about performing this time.".