After his elimination from Idols last night, Freddie "Van'Dango" Moss said he planned to use the popularity he gained during the competition to release an album.

The 23-year-old's nonchalant body language suggested he had made peace with his elimination immediately after it was announced that Mark Haze, Crushanda Forbes and Dave van Vuuren were the last three contestants standing.

Last night's results suggested the competition had moved beyond popularity, and now promises a real heavyweight vocal battle for the crown.

Forbes, 24, and Haze, 29, were perhaps the most clinical vocalists since the Top 10 stage - the suave Lefa Pike aside.

Moss said he had become "neurotic" every week, worried he would be voted off, but was satisfied he had reached the goals he set himself when he entered the competition. He had also entered last year.

"Last year, I was constantly daydreaming. I didn't really have a game plan. But this year I set myself a goal to reach the Top 15, and when I got there, I targeted the Top 5," he said.

Flash Republic lead singer Tamara Dey is thought to be Moss's fan.

Moss's friendship with Van Vuuren promises to continue even beyond the competition - the pair plan to form a band together, although it might pose problems if Van Vuuren goes on to win the competition. Moss said he had written 12 songs that needed recording.

Judge Gareth Cliff told Moss and the remaining three to capitalise on the publicity they had received during their run in the competition, as they would "never get this much publicity ever again . even if you win".

Moss's sister was in tears, while his mother gave him a long hug, telling him: "Ek is baie lief vir jou (I love you so much)."

Moss admitted he could have handled things differently, after the controversial incident last month when he was beaten up outside a club in Greenside, Johannesburg, which resulted in him needing surgery to repair a crushed cheekbone.

"Look, I could have handled things a thousand different ways," he said.

Local hip hop artist HHP will be the guest-judge at the next show this coming weekend.

Sama-winning instrumental quartet Sterling EQ will perform with the Idols hopefuls on stage, for at least one song each. They will sing three songs each - all from the year they were all born.