Idol fans' angry at vote bloc

AUSTRALIAN Idol is the subject of growing speculation that voting is being influenced in favour of contestants with affiliations to the Assemblies Of God church.

The Daily Telegraph's Australian Idol forums have been swamped with comments on the role of bloc voting for contestants Matt Corby, Tarisai Vushe, Ben McKenzie, and Daniel Misfud - all members of AOG pentecostal church groups.

SM of Sydney is worried about the influence of AOG churches on TV shows beamed to homes of people not interested in the church.

"I feel sorry for the poor fools forking out their hard earned to remain members of this organisation," SM said.

Marg of Sydney called for greater voting transparency. "It's a shame Idol is being abused this way. Voting blocs are an in-built problem with a show of this nature."

On Monday night Australian Idol issued a formal statement live on air to dismiss allegations that the finalists were members of Hillsong, as claimed by Channel 7's Today Tonight.

AOG affiliate Shirelive has two contestants in the finals, Corby and Vushe.

Yesterday the group responded to the Today Tonight allegations on YouTube.

Shirelive pastor Michael Murphy said he had been "unashamedly supporting Matt Corby and Tarisai Vushe as church family".

source: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22558938-10388,00.html