TEENAGE Pop Idol sensation Zoe Birkett has confirmed she's given up her A-Level studies at Carmel Technology College in Darlington to concentrate on showbiz.

The news came just before the release of the Pop Idol Big Band Album, on which she sings on five of the tracks.

The album reached the shops on Monday and is predicted to make number one this Sunday.

She said: "I quit college to concentrate on my new album, and because I am doing a lot of promotion for the album and appearing on TV."

She features in a new TV ad promoting the Pop Idol album. Each of the ten finalists enters a room in a different way. Zoe climbs through a hole in the wall.

Zoe has been starring in the 21-date Pop Idol Live Show which has been touring the country.

On Wednesday and Thursday last week, she played to an audience of 11,000 at Newcastle's Telewest Arena, performing a showstopping version of Say A Little Prayer and her duet with Gareth, Oh Look At Me Now.

Zoe, who is 16 and who lives in Welbeck Avenue, Darlington, said she decided to give up college when she was voted off Pop Idol in fourth place.

But she added: "The thing about education is that it's always there and if it all fails - and I hope it doesn't - I can always go back."

Her mother, Tracey, has also decided to leave her hairdressing job at Dominique of Darlington.

Zoe said: "I need my mum's skills and emotional support."