THERE may not have been a leg warmer in sight - but the real-life events at BBC's Fame Academy were just as dramatic as the fictional goings on at the New York School for the Performing Arts.

And for those of us who were gripped by the grand final last month, the show's eventual winner, David Sneddon, would like us to know he's still on cloud nine.

"It's sunk in a little - but it is really hard to take in," says the cheeky-faced Scot. Not surprising when you consider how his life has changed in the past year.

He now has the use of a luxury flat in North London, an Audi TT sports car, an all important £1 million recording contract and a hit song - not bad for a penniless, former media student, who used to go home to his mum for his tea.

But the 24-year-old is determined not to get carried away by his new-found fame. "I still can't believe that I've been on Top Of The Pops or that I'm writing my own album," he says. "These are things I've always wanted to do and hoped would happen for so long. I don't think I'll ever take it for granted."

To keep his feet firmly on the ground, he has enlisted the help of best-mate John Kielty, who has moved to the capital to keep David company, while his long-term girlfriend Eleanor Roffe remains in Scotland.

It's nice to have a mate, explains the self-confessed home-bird, and with his talents on the guitar, John acts as the perfect song-writing partner. "John's come down here and we're going to write the album together. It's nice to have a best mate down here," he says.

He only hopes now that 21-year-old Eleanor can be persuaded to make the move as well. He says: "She might look for work down here and she'd be very welcome. She's in two minds about what to do, but I'd love to have her here."

Leaving Scotland was, he says, really difficult. "I've never been away for any length of time," he explains, and admits he does find the scale of London daunting compared to Glasgow. But he knows his family and friends are just a phonecall away. "They know I'll keep in touch and I'm going to phone home at least every other night," he promises devoutly.

The flat, in a swanky St John's Wood development, has a private gym and state of the art facilities. But despite the luxury, there's a problem - "I can't work the washing machine," laughs Sneddon.

Despite hankering for home, he knows he has to make the most of his time in London, and remains focused on his long term aim - to become a successful singer/songwriter - and is determined that he doesn't fall into the trap of recording cover versions to ensure chart hits.

"I've got loads of songs that I've written and I'm really keen to do more. I want people to understand that I do my own stuff and I'm not going to be doing other people's music," he stresses. "The album's going to be the best thing I've ever done."

Stop Living The Lie is out now.