Warm welcome for X Factor's Mary Byrne

X Factor contestant and former supermarket worker Mary Byrne was back behind the till at Tesco when she visited the Black Country to meet fans.

The singer, who was among the most popular entrants in the ITV talent show last year, joked with fans as she sat at a till and then signed copies of her first album Mine & Yours at Tesco in St Paul's Street,Walsall, yesterday.

She worked as a checkout operator for the supermarket for 11 years in Ballyfermont, Ireland before successfully auditioning for X Factor.

The 50-year-old has kept busy since making it to the semi-finals of the hit series won by Matt Cardle.

"It's just been a whirlwind of making the album, doing the tour," she said. "It's been work, work, work, but it's been fantastic. This time last year I was at home perhaps getting ready to go work on the tills. I hadn't decided whether to go for X Factor."

She was full of praise for her mentor on the show Louis Walsh, who she said was already organising songs for a follow-up album, and said she is looking forward to watching star judge Simon Cowell's new US series.

"I love Simon Cowell," she said. "He's a nice, nice man. Off stage he is he is a lot of fun, very attractive. He is a very good man. He's looked after me big time."

Mary also said she was looking forward to perform with Neil Diamond at Ireland's 45,000-seater Viva Stadium on June 25.

Amelia Roberts, seven, of Cheslyn Hay, was among the first to greet the Irish singer.

"It was really good to meet her, I enjoyed myself," said Bridgtown Primary School pupil Amelia.

Student Rebecca McDonough, 17, of St Mark's Road, Brownhills said: "I'm a big Mary fan. She's an inspiration. My favourite is You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. I can't believe I'm getting a chance to meet her."