Toby Moulton a given a stab at the pop big leagues, an opportunity that most Australians would die to have. But in a bid to avoid being branded a fraud, the 30-year-old has ditched the chance to receive the $200,000 prize-money plus a full recording contract.

Despite the fact that several people had questioned the decision of the South Australian to hang his competition mic last Sunday night, spurring allegations of a PR stunt, the young man pledged his honesty.

The Australian Idol finalist said that when he was asked by contest judge Jay Dee Springbett  if he wanted to win the singing competition, he said “yes” and had meant it.

But Moulton said the demands put on him by the three-month hectic schedule had exhausted him, adding that he was now craving freedom, something a record contract wouldn’t have permitted if he had won the Channel 10 singing contest.
 
Moulton said the last two weeks had offered him a reality check, one which gave him the realisation that had made him question his desire to win the quest.

He commented that a victory at the Australian competition is something he had really wanted, adding that it had been full steam ahead.

But Moulton said the more he got into the contest, the more the realisation came to him that the quantity of work and energy involved as well as the level of commitment needed by whoever to win Australian Idol proved too much for him.

Claiming to have become sleep deprived and in search of a new flat following the end of his lease on his rented premises three weeks ago, the performer said to be the oldest in the in the competition had taken its toll.

He said that this competition is sometimes more difficult for older contestants, especially for a 30-year-old man.

Moulton is in preparation for a teacher’s career, having scheduled a meeting with Adelaide’s Star Of The Sea Catholic Primary School principal next Thursday to discuss a the possibility of a position.