Zoella has announced she is quitting the internet after admitting that she did not write her best-selling romance novel Girl Online.

The YouTube star, real name Zoe Sugg, said she was "taking a few days out and off the internet because it's clouding up my brain. Thanks for understanding." But she is not quitting YouTube, or the internet altogether, let's be clear.

It emerged at the weekend that a ghostwriter, Siobhan Curham, was responsible for Girl Online.

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After mounting speculation about how much – or little – of the novel she had written, Sugg released a statement saying that only "the story and the characters" were her own work.

Her publisher, Penguin Random House, refused to be drawn on how much – or little – of the novel was Sugg's own work.

Asked if Sugg had written any sentences contained in the book, a spokesman replied: "We are not getting into the nitty gritty of that."

Zoella, 24, announced her temporary departure from the internet with a message to her more than 2.6 million Twitter followers yesterday, followed by this message today:

The book's acknowledgements credit Curham, an author, and Amy Alward, editorial director at Penguin, for being "with me every step of the way".

Penguin confirmed that Sugg did not write Girl Online on her own.

The firm said in a statement: "As publishers our role is, and always has been, to find the very best talent and help them tell their story and connect them with readers.

"Talented YouTube entrepreneurs such as Zoe are brilliant at understanding and entertaining their audience.

"For her first novel, Girl Online, Zoe has worked with an expert editorial team to help her bring to life her characters and experiences in a heartwarming and compelling story."

Zoella responded by writing on Twitter: "Thanks for all the positive feedback about Girl Online and for the doubters out there, of course I was going to have help from Penguin's editorial team in telling my story, which I talked about from the beginning.

"Everyone needs help when they try something new. The story and the characters of Girl Online are mine. I want to thank all of you who have taken time to support the book."

Girl Online is the latest in a string of successes for the blogger, who has more than six million subscribers on her YouTube channel.

Such is her popularity that she was invited by Bob Geldof to sing alongside One Direction and Rita Ora on this year's Band Aid song.

She grew up in Lacock, Wiltshire, and started her Zoella blog in 2009, giving fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips.

She soon became a YouTube sensation and earlier this year signed a two-book deal with publishing giant Random House.

Her first novel Girl Online was so popular that every bookseller broke the embargo in its sale, according to her publishers.

It hit number three on the Amazon bestsellers list before the book was even released.

Reaction on Twitter:

Telegraph, London, with Aja Styles