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Australians have adopted Irishman Damien Leith as one of their own, even though he's not a citizen, crowning him Australian Idol.
The 30-year-old chemist and father of one beat Northern Territory schoolgirl Jessica Mauboy in the final with a spine-tingling version of Puccini's Nessun Dorma. The victory secures Leith a recording contract with Sony.
Mauboy, 17, said record labels had already approached her and the future had exciting prospects.
