The Glaswegian was visiting HMV stores in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow to mark the release of her debut album, The Meaning of Love.

Two hundred fans queued at the Dundee branch this morning, with hundreds more outside, waiting to get a chance to meet the singer whose first single spent three weeks at the top of the charts.

After meeting fans in Aberdeen first thing this morning, Michelle and her entourage – including a GMTV film crew following her for the day - made the short trip down to Dundee where they were given a staggering welcome by fans.

“This is a shock – when I was walking round to HMV I lost my breath,” said Michelle after making her way through the crowd to HMV.

“There were kids asking if they could touch me and I had to lift one up because of the crush,” she added.

Since winning Pop Idol, Michelle’s life has been transformed and she admitted that she was looking forward to getting the chance to perform in her hometown.

“I can’t wait to get there – it’s going to be fantastic, and there will be lots of my friends and family there,” she said. “I’m just happy to be back in Scotland. We got the album finished quicker than expected so that has freed up a bit of time.”

Michelle’s only time off since shooting to fame on Pop Idol has been a few days spent in Glasgow after triumphing in the final programme and her hard work isn’t likely to end any time soon.

“I got home for a few days and was just doing the dishes and it was all very normal,” said Michelle. “But, after promoting this single I’ll be going on tour — in fact it’s the first day of rehearsals for that today so I will be behind — and then after that the second single will come out and I’ll have to promote that,” she added.

The 23 year-old also brushed off claims that she had been suffering from depression and had turned to drink since winning the TV talent contest.

“Stories like that I just have to take with a pinch of salt. I’m not depressed at all,” she said.

“There’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. Just because I’ve not been out in London in public people just assume that you have problems,” she concluded.