Sussex teenager Chris Hide was a step closer to becoming a Pop Idol this morning after singing his way into the ITV show's final ten.

The 18-year-old from Lancing avoided elimination in Saturday night's closely fought contest, impressing the judges with a powerful rendition of Elton John's Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

Chris, dubbed "The Vicar" in his initial audition by judge Neil Fox, has sung his way into the hearts of millions since the series began and is now one of the bookie's favourites to land the title which shot Will Young and Gareth Gates to fame.

But the "vicar" tag reared its head again on Saturday, with Neil Fox telling him: "You're a brilliant singer but you don't look like a pop idol or sound like one or perform like one - you look like a vicar."

The question prompted hosts Ant and Dec to ask the 18-year-old if he was sick of the nickname yet. He said no - but hinted the opposite.

Still the audience disagreed with Fox, siding with fellow judge Pete Waterman, who told the teenager: "I could sit here and listen to you sing all night long."