Dedicated Idol fans have been lining up outside the Sydney Opera House from 8am in 40 degree heat, desperate to get up close and personal to their favourite performers.


Fans have come from across the nation to watch Stan and Hayley battle it out for the title of Australian Idol 2009.

 “We’ve been here since 10am because we wanted to get a good spot,” explained a group of dedicated fans from Albury-Wodonga.

The crowd was split into Stan and Hayley lovers, with Stan fan Holly declaring, “I love Stan and we’re getting married and we’re having babies.” On the other side of the fence is a Hayley fan: “I’ve spent all my credit on voting!”

However, according to one philosophical fan, even if her favourite doesn’t win, it’s ok because “if you look at all the people who come first and then you look at all the people who come second, the second person does just as well as the first.”

Some of those waiting in the baking sun are Idol Grand Final veterans, for others it’s their first time, but all agree that the effort’s worth it to see some great performances and find out which of their Idols will win, live on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. As Isabelle (a Hayley fan) says, “The atmosphere is amazing.”