Jamie Afro stuns fans
For two unknowns who shot to stardom on The X Factor, contrasting appearances at music stores offered a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of fame.
Thousands queued outside HMV in South Shields to hail the homecoming of show winner Joe McElderry and just 500 fans were allowed into the store for a signing session. His debut single The Climb is among the leading contenders to top the charts this Christmas and adoring admirers spoke of their delight at meeting their idol.
Meanwhile at HMV at Dudley's Merry Hill Centre, former contestant Jamie 'Afro' Archer performed to an audience of dozens after arriving unannounced with guitar in hand.
He was clutching a fruit smoothie and shopping bag when he entered the store for the impromptu gig and had to ask permission from store and centre bosses before he was given the green light to go ahead.
The 33-year-old, from Putney, London, has been gigging up and down the country since he was voted off the singing contest and was due to appear at Chicago Rock Cafe in Walsall last night.
Crowds gradually gathered at Merry Hill as word spread Jamie Afro was in town.
Hits from The Killers and Kings of Leon drew applause and cheers from the hurriedly assembled audience, but it was all a far cry from Joe's carefully stage-managed return to his south Tyneside town.
Sisters Amy Horne, aged 19, and Sophie, aged 17, from Milking Bank, Dudley, had been shopping with friends when Jamie appeared.
"One of our friends gave us a phone call and said Jamie Afro was playing so we have come to have a look," Amy said.
"We have watched the X-Factor and I can't believe he has just turned up in Dudley."
Jamie spoke to the Express & Star in the staff room after the performance as workers unexpectedly spent their breaks in the company of the TV star.
He said he was buzzing after the gig between stacks of DVDs, CDs and books.
"That was exactly had I started off, just pitching up somewhere and playing so it's just like going back to my roots for me," he said.