X FACTOR stars surprised residents when they dropped in to a Golders Green cafe this lunchtime.

Finalists Danyl Johnson and Jamie Archer stopped off for a salad, sandwich, coffee and a strawberry and cream frappachino at the Starbucks cafe in Golders Green Road.

The pair were taking advantage of show bosses allowing them outside the X Factor house nearby now that the teenage fans who had besieged the house had gone back to school.

Mr Johnson, 27, a teacher form Reading, said: “We just wanted to get out. We're not normally allowed out but they let us because it's not half-term anymore.”

He said the house was not claustrophobic but it was nice to get out in the fresh air.

“We're loving it, it's everything you could dream of and we're really pleased to still be there. Simon is very happy that there are three of his team left.”

Mr Archer, 33, and a musician said: “I think it's great but it's still such a weird experience.

“At the end of the day the way that you come across will forever be how people see us for the future, it's really about trying to make sure that people see the best of us.”

Cafe patron Artur Zangiev, 22, from Hoop Lane, Golders Green, was sitting having a drink and quietly working on his internship in marketing and translation when he suddenly found himself sitting next to two TV stars and being snapped by a crowd of paparazzi and passersby.

He said: “My flatmate Hannah and I watch the show and she will be crazy when she hears I've been sitting next to these guys, she's going to go mental.”

He added: “It's the first time I've been in this situation and it's a bit weird all these people taking photos of us. I can imagine how they feel all the time being followed by the paparazzi.

“I find it a little bit annoying.”