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The Saudi Arabian poet Hissa Hilal caused a sensation in the Arab world when she appeared on the TV talent show Million's Poet.

The format is a kind of Pop Idol for poets.

Dressed in a full burqa, with only her eyes showing, Hissa performed poetry that attacked religious extremism. She also denounced conservative clerics for their stance on women's rights, freedom of the press and their message on terror.

Despite receiving death threats from some viewers, Hissa was praised by the all-male panel of judges.

She went on to win a place in the final, where she gained the highest marks from the judges but was reduced to third place after a viewers' vote. Even so, she took home prize money of more than $700,000.

Matthew Bannister spoke to Hissa on the line from Riyadh about the competition.