Throng

Australian Idol is to be rested for 2010. According to industry insiders, Channel Ten plan to shelve Idol for 2010, despite the show being announced as part of Ten’s 2010 line up.

In 2009, Australian Idol suffered its lowest ratings ever with just 1.4 million watching Stan Walker being announced as 2009’s Idol. In previous years, the finale had attracted over 3 million viewers. Reasons given for the shows failure in 2009 ranged from a lack of talent overall with the contestants to the shock departure of Kyle Sandilands to the lack of appeal of replacement judge Jay Dee Springbett.

To date, none of the contracts for the judges have been renewed. Already there had been speculation that the show would not return in 2010 as a result. Australian Idol’s season in 2010 would clash with the Commonwealth Games in October meaning the show would either have to finish prior to the games or have a few weeks off.

Sunday 22 November, 7.30pm

Live from the steps of the Opera House... Tonight, season 7 reaches a spectacular climax as the Final 2 take to the state to discover who has been voted this year's Australian Idol. Will it be Stan or Hayley?

The road has led them here to the Sydney Opera House - but the journey is just about to begin. One of them will leave the stage tonight under a sky filled with fireworks to the applause of a nation, with a recording contract, a management deal, a car and a $200,000 Artist Development fund to help them on their way.

The entire Australian Idol judging panel may be in jeopardy when or even if the show returns in 2010 with none of the three judges re-signed for the new year. Furthermore, according to one informed industry source, Australian Idol may even be rested in 2010, with the show returning in 2011. As it stands, there is a clash of timing in 2010 with the Commonwealth Games in October also screening on Ten.

In 2009, Australian Idol did not capture a strong viewing audience each week with weekly ratings way down on previous years, and many nights not even cracking the million night. Even in the key demographic for Australian Idol - 16-39’s - the show did not perform well when compared to previous seasons.

While Stan Walker was crowned Australian Idol 2009 and his song Black Box one of the top downloads from iTunes, Idol runner up Hayley Warner has also signed with Sony music. Speaking at the Aria awards last Thursday night to the Daily Telegraph’s Insider, she said she had negotiated a contract with Sony who of course signed Stan Walker as part of the prize for winning Australian Idol.

"I just want to hit while the iron is hot," she said.

"Hayley has great enthusiasm and energy and brings a unique performance style that the public have really responded to. We look forward to working with her on her first album which will be released in 2010," Sony chairman and CEO Denis Handlin said.

Hayley Warner's first single will be Good Day - the song that was to be her first single had she have won Idol.

Ten Head Programmer David Mott appeared in an interview today on the Media Week TV show, seen on Foxtel channel 602 at 2.27pm Thursdays (and repeated over the weekend).

David Mott said that key performing shows like Master chef (obviously), Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation, Recruits and Merlin which Ten went to some trouble to acquire will all be among the 2010 line up for the network. Any concerns about copy cat or “me too” type shows trying to come off the back of Masterchef’s success by other networks were put to rest with David saying that the audience knows what they want and copy cat or “me too” shows simply do not work these days. In particular he made reference to the failure of the X Factor a few years ago.

Idol favourite, Stan Walker, has beaten Hayley Warner at the Opera House tonight in front of the biggest crown ever for an Idol finale! The just turned 19 year old from Coolangatta, has been a favourite with the media and fans alike from the beginning. His incredible renditions of Princes “Purple Rain” and “Circle of Life” to current hits from the likes of Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, saw him take risks and tonight they paid off.

The Melbourne born Walker, who was raised in Tauranga, New Zealand, has credited God for his return from “ …being a thug” and has found solace in singing. Stan has overcome personal tragedy after his girlfriend earlier this year, miscarried their daughter. Her name “Ataahua” is tattooed on his neck and is Maori for beautiful.

Sunday November 22 7.30pm

Live from the steps of the Opera House...

Tonight, Season 7 reaches a spectacular climax as the Final 2 take to the stage to discover who has been voted this year's Australian Idol. The road has led them here to the Sydney Opera House - but the journey has only just about to begin. One of them will leave the stage tonight under a sky filled with fireworks to the applause of a nation, with a recording contract, a management deal and a $200,000 Artist Development Fund to help them on their way. That's not a bad way to start a career!

Is it going to be Stan or Hayley? For one of them, their life is about to change. For the other - well - they will most likely have amazing opportunities as well. History has showed us that Australian Idol opens up opportunities for many contestants, not just the winner.

Find out tonight on Australian Idol live from the Sydney Opera House from 7.30pm on Ten*

Until then, you can still vote. Voting lines are open until 8.45pm AEDT tonight (Nov 22).

SMS the name Stan or Hayley to 191010 or call 1902 555561 for Stan or 1902 555562 for Hayley.

The first single from the winner will be released on iTunes at midnight AEDT tonight.

Note: Jordin Sparkes has pulled out from her appearance on the Idol finale due to sickness.

Stan Walker - Australian Idol finalist 2009
Black Box - Lyrics

Sending out a mayday
we're going down
the thing we could have done
would have turned it round
everything we had scattered everywhere
searching through the wreckage of a love affair

Got something to say?
say it to me
not everyone else
you say that I'm to blame
my words are in vain
don't go fooling yourself

There's a little black box here
somewhere in the ocean
holding all the truth about us
There's a little black box
a record of emotion
everything that ever was

you may deny it
but when I find it
I'm gonna play it aloud to the world
There's a little black box
There's a little black box

7.30pm Sunday November 15

Tonight the final two Idols are announced at the start of the show. While it’s the end of the dream for one, it’s a dream come true for the two finalists as they celebrate the news that they have made it to the final - and the Opera House next week!

But they must put their excitement aside and gather their composure as they perform four times each! Its contestants song choice tonight so expect some show stoppers! The final two will also perform their own version of the winners single.

World class crooner Michael Buble joins the idols as mentor and guest judge this week. Will they impress him?

Its the second last week of Australian Idol.

The remaing three are Hayley, James and Stan.

The first contestant who is in the running to be Australian Idol 2009 is...

Stan Walker.

James and Hayley are left hugging...

The second through is...

Hayley Warner.

That leaves James Johnston to go home and Hayley and Stan to battle it out tonight.

Also tonight, they will perform what will become their first singles should they win the competition.

Next week sees the Australian Idol 2009 announced at the Opera House in Sydney in front of thousands of fans.

The result follows our poll exactly with Stan in front, Hayley second and James third. Stan has won the polls just about every week, and after having about 60% of the vote in Throngs' poll would be the favourite to win.

Voting lines are now open. You can SMS their name to 191010 or call

1902 555561 for Stan,

1902 555562 for Hayley.