Simon Cowell has reportedly ordered that Cher Lloyd have 24 hour protection.

The 17 year old singer – who finished fourth in the 2010 X Factor series – caused crazy scenes at Heathrow Airport last weekend when she returned to the UK.

Cher had been in LA recording her debut album and on her homecoming, was mobbed by a crowd of almost 500 fans. Onlookers said that the situation was so serious, the young performer was taken home in a riot van, after an overwhelming amount fans tried to get a glimpse of Lloyd.

A source told The Sun:

“To see that many people on Saturday was a real shock for Cher and her label.

‘They knew there was interest but hadn’t expected it to be that big. Police had to bundle her into a riot van to escape all the well-wishers.”

They added: “When Simon heard about it he immediately instructed she get 24-hour protection.”

One person missing from the crowd was Cher’s cheating ex-boyfriend Karim Roundi. Instead she was met at arrivals by her close friend Jamal Greaves.