SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER / 7.30: FINAL 8 PERFORM
MONDAY 13 OCTOBER / 7.30: FINAL 8 VERDICT

The remaining eight contestants are a step closer to the Opera House having made it through last week's elimination. However they must pull in the votes this Sunday night to stay in the competition.

The theme? It's a surprise! Will it be 'Disco' – the theme that challenges the Idols, year after year? 'Rock' – the theme that allows the contestants to wear the tightest black leather trousers they can find? Or maybe 'Movie Themes', which will involve a few power ballads, to be sure…

Veteran of these theme nights is host Ricki-Lee Coulter, who will be on hand to soothe the nerves and fire our Idols up. Joining her are Andrew G and James Mathison who are there to support and encourage the Idols throughout their performances, as well as deliver the devastating news of who will be leaving the competition on Monday night.

Voting lines open as soon as the final contestant has performed on the Sunday night, giving Australia an opportunity to vote for their favourite contestant and hopefully keep them in the competition.

On Monday night, the bottom three contestants will be announced, as voted by the Australian public. Those three contestants will be required to perform once again and the voting lines will reopen, giving Australia a second chance to save their favourite Idol.

The one contestant with the least cumulative votes, from both Sunday and Monday night, will leave the show, bringing the remaining eight contestants one step closer to become Australian Idol 2008.