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Toby quits Idol

"I'm a teacher who can sing." Toby Moulton tonight sent a ripple through Australian Idol by quitting the contest, with just weeks to go before the finale.

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toby30yo Toby Moulton tonight withdrew from Australian Idol.

One of the show’s final five contestants, Moulton told the live audience he was quitting the show to focus on his career as a teacher, and read a prepared statement.

“After many, many hours of soul searching and many sleepless nights, I have decided to withdraw from the competition tonight. I have come to a point where I have realised that at this stage I do not want a career in music and these four people,” he said.

“They each have an enthusiasm and drive that I cannot match and I must step aside so that they have the best chance to prosper as young Australian artists. I must be real with myself and feel I can no longer continue on this adventure.

“My biggest consideration when making this decision was those beautiful people who have become fans. I will miss the smiles, hellos and beautiful messages you have blessed me with.

“I know that many of you have invested many hours and money on me, all I can say is I’m very sorry if I’ve let you down.

“I’m sorry to my family and friends who have helped me in so many ways – you know how much – particularly my mum, dad, Locky and Cam, who have travelled from home to be here tonight.

“I pray you will understand that I have to make the right decision for me and my future at this time. I hope I have been able to bring you joy through my songs and through the person I am.

“I know many of you identified with me, the school teacher who just decided to have a go, someone who acted on his passion. I hope my decision doesn’t leave you downhearted.

“I have had the most amazing experience of my life. I now know who I am. I am a teacher. I am a teacher who knows he can sing and is no longer afraid of being heard.

“To my school kids, I told all of you to have a go, especially at things you are passionate about. I am sorry if I have disappointed you.

“All of Australia knows how much I care about you all and how much I love my job. I think it’s taken this experience to realise this.

“My decision is no way reflects on Australian Idol and all the wonderful people involved on the show. You have all been incredible. Thank you for all your help, encouragement and support. I feel blessed to consider you my friends.

“Thank you for all the time and effort, I’ve had the time of my life. I simply know in my heart of hearts I can no longer continue.

“Thanks you to my fellow contestants, you have been an inspiration to me.

“If it’s okay with you guys, I’d love to be up on stage with you at the grand final. I can’t wait.

“I’ll miss you all and pray you all continue to shine and never forget the magic of music,” he said.

“Thank you.”

As a result of his exit the showhad no elimination. although host Andrew Gunsberg indicated  James Johnston would have been cut from the show after the public vote. He lives to compete another week as a result of Moulton’s exit.

The judges paid tribute to Moulton, noting his ‘humility and grace’ in departing.

In the first series Cosima de Vito famously quit the show citing vocal nodules as making her continuation impossible.

With just three weeks to go, Moulton arguably gave the show one of its most dramatic moments.

38 Responses

  1. that was the most contrived pre rehersed piece of garbage i have ever seen. i have no doubt the producers had told him to quit just to make this show look interesting and not for his own benifit

  2. People – this site clearly states on the top of the each page “Australia’s leading TV blog” – last time I looked, Australian Idol was on ‘Australian TV’ – this is news. I don’t really watch, or care about Australian Idol, but it was interesting to read a contestant quit.

    Thanks David for the up to date news you always provide (your site is much easier to view and navigate than most other news/entertainment web sites).

  5. On a slightly different note – with the “premiere” of the Avatar trailer that they had been plugging as an “exclusive” since last week – the exact same footage aired 10 hours earlier on Weekend Sunrise. What’s that about?

  7. Back to the point, I’d hope like hell this gets Idol back over the million mark, as the way it’s going, I can’t see it coming back next year (seems like a replay of what happened in the dying days of Big Brother).

    Haha, with all this hate being thrown your way David, you’re well on the way to becoming Australia’s Nikke Finke!

  8. While I wish I was more of an optimist, whenever a contestant does this it just makes them seem weak as p**s. He knew he wouldn’t win (even when hitting the high notes, it only ever seemed like he was giving it ~80%, rather than going for broke), and decided bow out in a way that would get him way more publicity than simply getting eliminated.

    To be honest, as a fellow Perthite, I can see the point “spoiler” was making, but it would have been nice if he had spelt it out constructively, rather than letting out a torrent abuse. The only time this has affected me was seeing the photo on the front page of the Project Runway winner. While I would have preferred seeing a generic photo used instead, nobody was holding a gun to my head saying I had to visit the site before the program was over here in the West.

    *Spoiler Alert* spoiler is a whinging a**hole *Spoiler Alert**

  10. Wow, this came as a real surprise to me. Good on him though, he knows what he wants to do and he’s willing to take action on it. I like that he stepped down in order to give the others a fair chance, as they (presumably) do wish to start a career in music.

    I guess the issue of previous contestants comes up, but I think that it may have taken some time and thinking on his part to sort himself out, which is fair enough. Besides, you have to keep in mind that he *did* leave and not stay there “pointlessly” (so to speak), depriving some of the really good singers (e.g. one of the top 3, or something) from this opportunity, which is commendable.

    Also, spoiler, what is your problem, mate? If you’re so familiar with these so called “problems” and are aware that David may post news about shows that have not aired in Perth yet, why do you keep visiting this site when the shows that you watch are on? Stupidity on your behalf, not David’s. I know you that you already know this David, but don’t listen to him, keep up the good work.

  11. “once agian some old story this not news who cares and this should say spolier”

    so it’s “some old story” but at the same time should be tagged “spoiler”?!?

    some people make me laugh!!

  12. Thank gawd! Nice guy and all but compared to the other four he was way out of his depth so I’m happy to see him leave. And to have a Final 4 of youngsters (all 18 and under I believe) is a good thing I reckon. It’ll be nice to have a young fresh face for Idol fans to support as their winner (unlike the recent previous winners like Wes, Natalie and Damien that were all older).

  13. Hey leave this man alone’he decided this music industry career was not for him and at least young James get a second chance to prove himself.
    Why pick the man who looks 15 instead of the same old looks department winners.
    The young teen boys from last years Idol should create a band with James and see what happens’now that is exciting’and 10 bring back YTT because the younger kiddos need a show too and not just the under 30’s.
    I wanted to go on Idol but I have a good voice but my nerves would bury me in all honesty.

  14. lol, shut up “spoiler”

    Anyway, meh, Toby was boring anyway. I just feel sorry for the other people who were eliminated before him, or didn’t make it to the Top 12 who actually wanted to win the competition.

  15. Well, I thought it was classy (no pun intended). Toby had his limitations, but at least he could sing. James looks like he’d belong on the new Young Talent Time, while Nathan obviously thinks he’s the new Adam Lambert (pity he hasn’t the chops). Hayley is a one-trick pony and Stan..well, he has the goods, but he’s so erratic.

    My fav moment of the year.. Andrew G telling a poor girl in the audience to shove her balloon on Pink night. Sort of sums up the whole series.

    Hope they remembered to book the inside of the Opera House this year.

  16. ok yes he is quitting that is news i guess but i am in perth and its was only 7.45 when i saw this and i do not have a tv website iwish i di and dont be a smart ass with me i know its your site so dont act so pround i think u need to take time out from your site cos u seem to grumpy at times and sorry i never knew that changeing my id is now allowed so sorry agian

    1. Thankyou ‘Spoiler’. You would remember I did explain all of this politely last week, so of course I took a tone when you returned to do it again. It should also have aired by 7:45 as it did on the East Coast. I certainly get the issue for non Syd / Melb viewers, just as I trust you get the issue of running a TV site that is reporting television news that is logged on numerous sites, messageboards, Twitter etc. All of this is why the site notes Spoiler rule, again explained last week. Clearly his departure isn’t just TV news, I deemed it worthy of Top Story.

    1. Newsflash: A reality contestant quitting a reality show is news. And for the second week running you seem to think you should be deciding what news I should and shouldn’t run on my own site? If you want to direct me to your television website feel free. And spoiler at 10pm? I don’t think so. Spoiler rule is clearly identified on the About page. Was also on Daily Tele site at 8:38. And if you insist on changing your ID you are also in breach of this site’s Comments Policy. End rant.

  20. Paled in comparison to Cosima’s dramatic exit. The cynic in me believes there’s more to this than the ‘going back to teaching’ excuse. Worried about winning Idol and the curse that comes with it?

  21. I guess that’s what a week of mentorship from Joel and Benji from Good Charlotte wil do to you. Plus Im sure 30 choolkids is abetter audience than he’d be pulling if he won idol. RE: 2 people turn up to a free Wes Carr concert during the week.

    Idol has totally jumped Shark. The Brand is Damaged. They should quit whilst their behind.

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