IF an album spent 30 weeks at number one in this country, the artist would barely be able to leave the house for screaming fans.

In Holland, where her debut sat at the summit longer than Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Dutch singer Caro Emerald has no such problems.

“Holland is not such a crazy country to be famous in,” Caro told Vibe. “People do recognise me but it is not like I have masses of fans outside my house. I can go to the supermarket and no-one will come up to me, so I’m a lucky girl.”

The retro-pop singer’s first album, Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor, went to number four in this country while this year’s follow-up, The Shocking Miss Emerald went straight to the top of the UK charts.

And it is safe to say the reaction to the album, which was released on her own record label, was shocking to Miss Emerald.

She said: “My god, it was incredible. I’m so happy about it. I still can’t believe it to be honest.”

Caro has now sold more than 2.5 million records, had in excess of 32 million Youtube views and won stacks of awards with her sound influenced by music and films from the twenties to the fifties.

That success has led to a full tour, including a gig at the cavernous O2 in Greenwich on March 14 next year.

She said: “It is kind of surreal to me, to know that I will be there.

“I can seriously not imagine myself standing there. It is completely a dream come true.

“I’ve never been there but I’ve seen videos. It’s legendary.

“I’m still thinking of how to turn it into an arena show. We can choose anything – an orchestra, ballet, or keep it simple – I really don’t know yet.

“I just want it to be interesting. There will be plenty to sing a long and dance a long to as well as some intimate moments.”

Caro said she loves performing live, describing her show as intense and diverse.

She said: “Performing is like time is standing still.

“It is so intense to be on stage and to have everyone look at you and do you thing.

“Any emotion you can feel through music gets a thousand times bigger when you’re on stage. That’s what I like about it.”

The Shocking Miss Emerald is out now. Caro Emerald is at the O2, Greenwich, on March 14, 2014. Tickets cost £30.25 to £55.25 at theo2.co.uk