The competition has reached frenzy point Down Under and the press are having a field day. In a country where television is top-heavy with Home and Away-esque blondes, the media are eager to see someone of Aboriginal extraction take centre-stage.

Mauboy has been likened to Mariah Carey; Damien Leith (30), by contrast, is the Irishman with 'the most orthodontically challenged smile on prime time".

"The competition has definitely moved more towards the finalists' nationalities and away from their music, which is a serious pity, " Leith's brother Paul told the Sunday Tribune yesterday. "This is not 'Born in Australia' Idol, but there's a lot of bigotry out there. All the same, people can be swayed on the night, when it's all down to who sings the best."

Paul and his wife have "not slept for two days" with all the excitement. They have been constantly on the internet reading discussion boards and trying to ascertain the level of support for Damien.

With only Australian viewers allowed to vote, it is entirely out of Irish hands, although it is hoped the ex-pat community down under will play a part.

Leith, a chemist originally from Milltown, Co Kildare, moved to Sydney four years ago to work for a pharmaceutical company. Over there, he met his Australian wife, Eileen, and they have since had a baby son, Jarvis. Leith will be eligible for Australian citizenship in January and plans to take it.

"If I win, I'll be proud to be an Australian Idol, " he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I remember looking at an encyclopaedia, looking at the Opera House when I was very young. I can clearly remember it. It's like destiny or fate that I ended up coming here."

Today, he and Mauboy will walk up a red carpet and into the Sydney Opera House to perform in front of approximately 1.5 million television viewers. Having beaten thousands of other hopefuls, as well as 11 other finalists, the winner will receive a recording contract with Sony BMG.

Somewhat like The Weakest Link, the loser will go home with nothing.

"It's really hard to say who will win, " said Paul Leith. "In many ways, I keep telling myself that he won't win, just so it won't be a big letdown if that happens. We've heard that his version of the final song ['The Night Of My Life'] is superb, so we're just praying he gets through."

Leith's parents, Paul and Angela, are in Sydney for the final, along with his younger brother Darren. In Milltown, a big party has been planned in a neighbour's house, where big projection screens have been erected to view the action via the internet. Despite the early hour, Paul predicted the champagne will be flowing from the start.

"Every relation and friend is going to be packed into that sitting-room watching the show, " he said. "The support here has been fantastic and everyone is rooting for him."

The second-eldest of four children, Leith was involved in music from his teenage years when he and Paul, Darren and sister Aine set up their own band, Leaf. They had some success, recording a song that reached the top 100 charts and being signed by an American record label, which took them to the US. However, the deal fell through and Leith returned to Ireland disillusioned with the music scene.

"When it all turned sour and they came home, they decided to go their separate ways and concentrate on their careers, " his mother, Angela, told the Sunday Tribune. "But I'm not surprised Damien got back into it; music has always been his life."

The past 11 weeks of the competition have told on the family's nerves. "He always said if he got to the final 12 he would be happy, but look where he is now, " said Angela.

"It would be amazing if he won it."

Last week, the frenzied atmosphere in Sydney was telling on Damien, according to Paul. "When I talked to him, he was like a zombie. He was wrecked. The producers were pushing the pair of them and I asked them to make sure he got some rest. This week, there's a more relaxed atmosphere, which is good."

Although Leith has told the Australian press that he is nervous, Paul believes that he is well up to the challenge.

"Damien thrives on that kind of pressure and I think he's psyching himself up for the performance, " he said. "Hopefully, he'll get up there and belt it out."

Current odds show Mauboy as the hot favourite at 6/4 on while Leith is currently at 10/11 on.

"Leith is clearly the best singer left in the race, " noted one Australian bookies. "But the younger and fresher Mauboy could hold more appeal for the voters."

Everyone agrees it is now down to who has the strongest fan base and nothing else. The music may well turn out to be irrelevant as 'Culture Idol' takes over.

"The last few months have been chaotic, " said Paul.

"None of us have been able to concentrate on our jobs or on our families. In a way, it will be better when it's all over and we know who has won. Until then, I won't get a wink of sleep."