A LITTLE girl from Port Glasgow has become an internet icon after starring as a stand-in First Minister.

Isabella Hay, or 'Isabella Sturgeon' as she called herself in the online clip, felt Nicola Sturgeon could do with a day off during the coronavirus crisis.

So she stepped in to record her own video address to the nation about the outbreak.

Filmed in her back garden, complete with lectern and NHS logo just like the FMs daily press conference briefing, the eight-year-old's cute clip has been watched over 100,000 times.

The St John's Primary pupil was set the home-learning task by her teacher and it exploded after her parents uploaded it online.

Her mum and dad Mariann and John Hay were thrilled with the reaction to her video, where she issued advice about how to stay safe during the outbreak.

Mariann told the Tele: "Isabella loves to perform.

"She dances with Linda Jackson's academy, is a member of Inverclyde Musical Youth Theatre and has singing lessons with Songbird Singing.

"With everything cancelled just now, she loved getting the chance to get dressed up and record a video.

"She really likes Nicola Sturgeon and always listens to her speeches, so she thought it was a great way to pay tribute to her."

People from all over the world have tuned in to watch the video.

Mariann, who works for Siemens, told the Tele: "She thought it was brilliant that everyone was getting in touch to tell her that she's famous.

"She's telling everyone she's gone viral.

"It is a bit of fun for her in these times as she usually is out doing activities almost every night of the week."

Isabella has also been going to nearby care homes to entertain residents by doing some Highland dancing in their gardens.

Mariann added: "Isabella loves entertaining residents normally and has found a way to keep this up despite being unable to actually visit them inside.

"She and a young piper, Lewis Carrison, danced and played to residents of Newark Care Home, pictured, on Thursday night.

"It was really special."