On Sunday, 1 February, hundreds of thousands of South Africans watched in horror as popular Idols host Colin Moss was hit by a bus outside the River Club, the show’s Cape Town audition venue.

His introduction to the much-awaited fifth season of the popular series was cut short by this tragic incident. Traumatised fans need not be too concerned though, as the voice-over artist explained that from now on, “the role of Colin Moss will be portrayed by Liezel van der Westhuizen”. According to the guys interviewed at the Cape Town auditions, the blow of Colin’s loss is softened by the fact that Liezel is “super-hot”.

The tongue-in-cheek presenter handover set the scene for the new fun-filled summer edition of Idols, which will be screened on M-Net on Sundays at 17:30 and Mondays at 19:00, until the beginning of May.

As in the past, the good, the bad and the ugly arrived in nearly equal measure at the first round of auditions in Cape Town. This time around, though, would-be singers could also bring musical instruments along – but would that make the good ones better or the bad ones worse?

Unfortunately, many of the guitars were just as out of tune as their owners’ voices, and only a handful of young singers with instruments managed to impress the four picky judges – Dave Thompson; Mara Louw; Gareth Cliff; and a grumpier-than-ever Randall Abrahams. Among these shining stars were pianist and jazz music student Paul Morissey, 22, from Durbanville; and 21 year-old Christoph Kotze from Hartebeespoortdam, one of many contestants who entered while holidaying in and around the Mother City.

While some of the young songbirds melted the judges’ hearts – like 17 year-old Carla Marques, who fulfilled her father’s death wish by entering Idols – others’ shrieky renditions of much-loved songs had them shaking their heads, stifling laughter or simply staring dumbfounded.

Many contestants made a memorable impression - but for completely different reasons. 27 year-old Las Vegas stripper, Jeff Tsoutsos, wasn’t shy of removing his clothes for Mara’s sake; while a relative of General Koos de la Rey, Jan de la Rey Wagner, showed that it’s possible to be a singer, auctioneer and panel beater – all at the same time. In the end, the following 24 contestants received ‘golden tickets’ to the next Idols phase, the theatre round in Johannesburg:

*Janice Lynn Roos, (17), a Matriculant from Athlone;
*Siyabulela Chris Mangaliso, (25), from Uitenhage;
*Jaqueline Kwenda, (25), a student from UCT;
*Mathew Moolman, (19) from Rondebosch;
*Christoph Kotze, (21), from Hartebeespoortdam, Gauteng;
*Paul Freysen, (27), from Durbanville;
*Mohammed Adil Dante, (19), from Woodstock;
*Shelley Gordon, (19), from Kuilsriver;
*Adam Schlosberg, (20), from Sandton, Johannesburg;
*Demi Moore, (19), from Cape Town;
*Daniel Baron, (17), a Matriculant from Johannesburg who was on holiday in Cape Town during the auditions;
*Natalie van Wyk, (22), from Oceanview;
*Grant Johannes, (24), from Mamre;
*Lana Crowster, (21), from Belhar;
*Paul Morrissey, (22), from Durbanville;
*Sasha Lee Davids, (18), from Atlantis;
*Monique Adriaens, (22), from Brackenfell;
*Lorraine Tokwana, (24), from Mfuleni;
*Alicia Pam, (19), from UCT, Cape Town;
*Samantha Leonard, (16), from Kimberley;
*Jolandi Morkel, (25), from Kuilsriver;
*Carla Marques, (17), from Tableview;
*Janine Jacobs, (17), from Wellington; and
*Marthinus Oosthuizen, (24), from Kuilsriver.

Will Durban beat Cape Town and serve up this year’s Idols winner? Tune in to M-Net on 2 February at 19:00, when the Idols team travels to eThekwini.