AS we know from TV shows, such as Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor, the price of fame is huge. Stress is as much about performance on the screen as it is about intense media interest and scrutiny.

Intrusion has always been a feature of stardom, but quite often the individuals wanting that break attract a story and headlines they don’t want, but seem powerless to control.

A powerful performance, the potential for greater destiny and a career, which could yield a bounty of several million pounds, is the incentive, but once the euphoria subsides there are few who reach their goal, or are able to sustain it.

There is no doubt that there are many hopefuls out there with talent – singers, dancers, groups and those who have diversity in their performance.

But too often fame is a fallacy because not everyone has what it takes, even if they have appeared on talent shows and done well.

Receiving the acclaim of the public is one thing, but opinions can and do change.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe, Durham.