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Speaking outside Itchen College in the city she said: ''I feel good. I did find them really hard and had a lot of distraction over the last two years so I'm really pleased.

''I'm spending my day with my family and going out tomorrow to celebrate with all the girls which will be good fun.'' She intends to take a gap year during which she will climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania before taking a place at St George's Hospital in London to study physiotherapy.

Mel, whose dad John is a former Southampton mayor, hit the headlines after Sven-Goran Eriksson named Arsenal youngster Walcott in his England World Cup squad.

Melanie joins football 'wives' club. The shy girlfriend of England's newest star has joined the "surreal" world of footballers' wives.

Melanie, whose boyfriend Theo Walcott was picked for the World Cup squad this week, appeared at a charity event alongside five other partners of famous players.

Asked how her friends at home in Southampton had reacted to her new-found fame, she said: "They are a bit shocked. It is a bit surreal for them. Theo's inclusion in England's World Cup squad stunned the world of soccer on Tuesday - and nobody was more amazed than the lad himself. Theo said: "I was so surprised. My eyes were just popping out of my head.

"I didn't think it was true when dad told me I was in the squad. I was shocked and surprised, as everyone was.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger added that Walcott could also be an "interesting weapon" to use from the substitutes' bench.

Theo Walcott has inherited Wayne Rooney's mantle as English football's most exciting teenage talent. Theo Walcott has already scored 4 Goals in the Championship. He's the youngest ever Southampton player, Definately the one to watch in 2006.

Theo has been dating 17-year-old A-level student Mel Slade for almost two years. They met shortly after he arrived in her hometown to sign a youth contract with ex-club Southampton.

She now plans to travel to Germany with the other England wives and girlfriends to cheer him on.

Melanie Slade is wunderkid Theo Walcott's 17-year-old girlfriend and, if the well-trodden path of her predecessors is anything to go by, she is going to have to get used to the media spotlight.

The A Level student got in some practice earlier with her first star turn for the cameras, bringing some other famous ladies along with her for moral support.

The physiotherapy student revealed that while Theo's selection for the World Cup squad has been life-changing, she is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.

She said: "I've got a few exams I've got to finish. Then it will be summer so I'll relax."

She added: I'll go to the World Cup if I can - if my exams let me."

THEO'S schoolgirl sweetheart Melanie Slade admitted yesterday she was thrilled at the prospect of meeting all the England players' wives and girlfriends.

But the 17-year-old said she was especially keen to meet Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin.

She added: "I really hope I'll be able to go and see Theo play in the World Cup. "I normally try and see him play whenever I can. This is such a good thing for him - I hope he does well."

Wearing a vest top and full-length white linen skirt, Mel climbed into her mum's red Peugeot 106 and smiled and waved to photographers outside her home in Southampton. Her father John, 66 - the mayor-elect and 568th Sheriff of Southampton - said: "Mel will have to concentrate, as she is sitting down to do her exams today.

John added: "He works really hard and is a brilliant talent. We have seen him play many times at Southampton."

Mel, who has dated Theo for nearly a year, studies at Itchen College, Southampton, and wants to become a physiotherapist.

Before A-levels, she attended Sholing Technology College and was described as "a popular girl". Head teacher Karen Dagwell said: "She did very well and came out with very good results."