And the winner is...Dean
By Phillip Koch

October 22, 2006 12:00

FOR the first time, Dicko and Kyle - the past and present Australian Idol judges the public loves to hate - have faced off to deliver their verdict on who will win this year's competition.

And the surprising thing is that they agree with each other: heart-throb Dean Geyer has the looks and the talent.

"The girlie vote will be way too big,'' Dicko said. "I think the final two will be Chris (Murphy) and Dean.''

Ian "Dicko'' Dickson became known as the Mr Mean of Australian television when he played the hanging judge on the first two years of Idol.

Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands took over from where Dicko left off when he joined Idol last year and his abrasive comments have been upsetting contestants and fans alike.

The two grumps are close to singing from the same song sheet in their assessment of the year's final six.

"I think it will be three males in the final three for the first time ever,'' predicted Dicko; "Chris Murphy, Damien Leith and Dean Geyer.''

Sandilands did not entirely agree with his rival's prediction - and thinks the final three will include Jessica Mauboy, 17.

"I think the final three - at this stage - will be Dean, Jessica and Damien,'' he said; "those three have the best chance of winning it.''

Dicko, who now hosts Celebrity Survivor on Channel 7, said he thought this year was the best since the inaugural competition, which was won by Guy Sebastian in 2003.

"I think this is probably the best year since the first year but it does not have the same depth as the first year,'' he said.

"There were some truly amazing voices - Guy, Shannon, Cosima, Paulini - but no one this year comes close vocally.

"I honestly think the talent is good: the final 12 were great but they were found wanting by the theme shows.''

Sandilands disagreed and said this year's competition was the best because of the controversial introduction of instruments.

He said he and his fellow judges, with Grundy Television's executive producer Greg Beness, fought to have instruments and singer-songwriters included for the first time.

"I think it is a better year than the first year,'' Sandilands said.

"Idol has grown up a little bit and I think people are voting differently because they have seen previous competitions.''

The winner of the first ever Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian, also weighed into the debate.

"Collectively I think they're the best talent so far,'' he said.

"This year's definitely the best talent but I think it is a little biased to make it about singer/songwriters.

"I feel sorry for the guys who don't write or play an instrument - at the end of the day Idol is a singing contest.''

Sebastian also said he didn't feel any of this year's Idol crop had delivered a traffic stopping performance.

"I'm still waiting for the standout performances because I don't think I've seen them yet,'' he ventured.

"They haven't had those big performances like when Shannon Noll did What About Me? and Anthony Callea did The Prayer.

"I'm still waiting for those sort of moments.''

While Sandilands and Dicko differ on what year was best both predicted that Dean Geyer - a self-professed Christian virgin with model looks - would take out the crown next month.

But Sandilands added that most of his huge 2Day FM audience had fallen for Mauboy.

Dicko’s verdict

DEAN: Winner

Dean will probably win but I don’t think he can continue to rest on his laurels. He has looks to die for and pulls a great backflip but he only has a few weeks to prove he is anything but a posterboy.

CHRIS: Runner-up

I like Chris. He is the only natural performer. He looks like the sort of bloke you could sit through a whole set of his music. He sticks to safe song choices. He is safe but he is also a good vocalist.

DAMIEN: Top three

I think he is proving a real contender. He has a wonderful falsetto voice.
I think he will definitely be in the final three.

JESSICA: Outsider

I like her a lot but you only occasionally see glimpses of real star qualilty. She needs to experience some heartbreak to sing about it. I reckon this opportunity has come three years
too soon.

LISA: Outsider

She has a fabulous, whimsical, country-style voice but it’s a bit like watching my teenage daughter on stage. She is great to listen to but there is not enough personality to want to buy an entire album.

RICKY: Next out

He is the cheeky, cute boy next door but he hasn’t got a spectacular voice. He always looks like he is working extra hard for that star quality.

Kyle's verdict

DEAN: Winner

Dean really is the million dollar package - all the girls think he is Captain Fantastic. He is a marketer’s dream.

JESSICA: Runner-up

I’m the most impressed about Jessica of all the Idols - from that little bush thing ... She has always had the voice of an angel. She looks fantastic every week and handles herself well in interviews. I’m super impressed with Jessica.

DAMIEN: Top three

I think Damien has one of the best voices I have ever heard. He is 30 and he does have image problems but I think he can make a beautiful album. He is decent and credible.

CHRIS: Outsider

I think he has a great rock voice. He is the slob of the group; he is the clown; he is the likeable, jolly guy. He could have a great rock career.

LISA: Outsider

I really do think Lisa has a very unique voice. She has no stage presence but she is only 16 and from a regional area. She is not the sort of girl who will grab this bull by the
horns and ride it.

RICKY: Next out

I actually agree with Dean winning but I also think that Lisa will be out next unless she does a popular song from somebody with a voice like hers...