By ALAN PERROTT
There was no stopping the Ben Lummis bandwagon.
Early speed wobbles almost condemned him to the NZ Idol ejection seats, but the 25-year-old teacher aide's televised transformation from reluctant performer to pop seducer was too much for the early favourite, rock cherub Michael Murphy.
The born-again Christian and former schoolboy
rugby star stepped up his effort as each week of the competition went by, while Murphy appeared visibly wearied in Sunday's final head-to-head sing-off.
"I'm very emotional at this time, but thank you New Zealand," an overcome Lummis said last night, hugging his friend and rival Murphy.
Just before he sang as the NZ Idol for the first time, Lummis apologised for being choked with emotion, and said: "I want to give praise and glory to God above."
Once again fansite idolblog.com got it right.
Its poll of almost 2500 fans had Lummis ahead throughout the final week with 60 per cent support.
Lummis' first release under his new BMG management contract will be his single They Can't Take That Away, which premiered on Sunday.
After filming a video for the song tomorrow, Lummis will return to the studio next week to begin work on his first album.
Late this year, he will represent New Zealand at World Idol before an international panel of judges and millions of voters worldwide.
While relegated to deputy head boy again, Murphy is almost certain to be offered his own contract.
Mega-selling American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has proved that second place isn't necessarily a handicap.
The early pundits had predicted that Murphy would sweep through on the thumbs of the text-addicted teenyboppers who had breathlessly swooned each time he appeared on their screens.
Lummis' days seemed numbered at the top eight stage. Judge Fiona McDonald remarked: "That was perfectly nice, you know, you did some great moves there. You look great. I don't know if you've got the X-factor. It pains me to say it Ben, but I don't know if you've got the right kind of charisma and the really special X-factor to be the New Zealand Idol."
But as each competitor dropped away, it appeared their support fell in behind the man with the Tongan Tonsils.
