Zac Efron says he still can't handle fan crowds

Teen star Zac Efron has said that he never gets used to the crowd making mayhem to see him, but at the same time he thank fans for being there.

Efron's appearance in Australia last week required a huge police presence, street closures, public barricades and an army of publicists (from Australia and the US) - all because of the legion of screaming fans eager to see the blue-eyed film idol in the flesh.

"Inevitably, when you walk out there, just the volume of it and . . . the hysteria that kind of goes on, it gets me every time," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.

"I don't really know how to handle it; it's weird that you incite that kind of reaction.

"Every time, it's like, 'Is this me? Is it really me that's causing this?' You never quite feel worthy of that.

"But at the same time, you can't withdraw, because I want to be there for them. I am very grateful that they're there and they do care," he said.

Efron rose to popularity after the phenomenal success of the High School Musical franchise and breakout films such as Hairspray and 17 Again.