Singer Lulu came to Essex and criticised reality shows like Popstars:The Rivals, which has catapulted two of the county's talented youngsters to fame.

You make me wanna shout - Lulu addresses the crowd in Chelmsford High Street. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

Lulu performed to the crowds and signed copies of her new autobiography at The Meadows shopping centre in Chelmsford High Street and spoke of her fears for younger contestants in reality TV shows like Popstars: The Rivals.

One winner of the format, though, was Chelmsford girl Chloe Staines, who sailed through to the second round of the competition on Saturday night, capturing a large share of the public vote with her rendition of Whitney Houston's Where Do Broken Hearts Go.

But speaking at The Meadows anniversary event at which Popstars: The Rivals reject Paul Ros , of Chelmsford, also appeared, the Scottish singing star said she was worried about the effect the instant fame would have on youngsters.

She said: "I get fearful for the kids who are thrust into the limelight on these programmes with people picking holes in what they are doing.

"It seems kind of harsh and it's very difficult for kids who suddenly become very famous and don't know how to handle it."

But Chloe's proud mum Dawn said she had no concerns for her daughter, claiming she was exactly the kind of person to be able to deal with the trappings of success.

As someone used to handling the limelight, Lulu who herself enjoyed a rapid rise to fame on the back of her 1964 hit You Make Me Wanna Shout greeted fans in Chelmsford High Street from a balcony before her book-signing.

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Published Monday October 21, 2002