Newnham, who was working on building sites just two weeks ago, impressed judges Marcia Hines, Ian “Dicko” Dickson and Jay Dee Springbett with his rendition of Run It by Chris Brown.

Viewers were also content with the bricklayer, voting him through to the final 12 of the show.

What is even more surprising about Newnham is that he has never sung in public until a week ago, which even his parents didn’t know about.

“This is a massive head-spin, a lot to take in – like the buzz of riding a rollercoaster,” Newnham says of his quick success.

“I’d only really sung in the shower and the car and done karaoke before this.”

The only downside to Newnham’s rapid rise is that he has had to pull the pin on playing in the finals for the Montrose Football Club – he plays on the wing – to concentrate on Idol.

It is worth it to grab the chance to win and make his own album.

He lists his music heroes as Michael Jackson, Usher, Justin Timberlake and Ne-Yo as well as Brown.

“If I got the chance to make an album it would be R&B/hip hop music. Every time you’re at a party and that style of music comes on, everybody starts dancing. I love seeing the smiles on their faces.”

Newnham is trying to maintain realistic despite being an early contender and is well aware of contestants who burn out after a flying start.

“Now I have to step it up a notch. Every time you do something well, they expect you to do something better the next time. But everyone else in the group has got that pressure as well,” he said.

Thanks to The Herald Sun for the above quotes.  For more information on this article visit their website.