Idol's Hazelwood disappointed at last-minute ruling

The pressure was on for NZ Idol's youngest contestant Ben Hazelwood after a last minute decision left the wannabe popstar songless on Thursday morning.

With filming due to begin the next day, the 17-year-old had less than 24 hours to learn and rehearse his new song choice, For You I Will by Teddy Geiger.

"I found out just one day beforehand, after spending all week getting amped for my own song," Hazelwood told nzherald.co.nz. "It was a massive disappointment."

The Wellington singer was scheduled to deliver the debut performance of his original song, Without You, a song written earlier this year about his sister.

NZ Idol publicist Katherine Klouwens said Hazelwood had approached producers about performing his original work as he felt it fitted within the show's pop genre.

"They said, 'yup, fine' but then the decision had to be put through Fremantle and 19. They turned round and halted it on Thursday morning," Klouwens said.

Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment are NZ Idol partners and control the international franchise rights of the Idol format.

The decision came as a surprise to Hazelwood, who said song choices were usually cleared and finalised by Tuesday. "I thought it was cleared so, stupidly, I hadn't planned a back up."

"At first I was pissed off and was thinking 'oh no, oh no'. But when I got into the studio I decided just to put it all behind me."

Hazelwood said it was a difficult situation but he thought he had made the most of it. "Watching it last night, I was pleased with my performance."

Fans seem to agree, with many labelling last night's show as Ben's best effort yet.

One blogger in the NZ Idol chat room said: "Ben was the best last night. The way he sang Teddy Geiger's For You I Will was better than Teddy."

Not everyone was extolling Hazelwood's talent though. Another blogger added: "Too little too late I feel. One week out of seven is not good enough. He has not consistently improved like an Idol should. He was better last night, but he is still not good."

Whether the rest of New Zealand agrees remains to be seen. The elimination round for last night's show will screen on TV2 tonight at 7.30pm.