NSW: Branson tips Guy to take out World Idol

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2003
NSW: Branson tips Guy to take out World Idol

By Jonathon Moran

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Sir Richard Branson had no other choice but to back Australia's
Guy Sebastian to win the World Idol crown when he opened his flagship Virgin Megastore
in Sydney today.

Sir Richard teamed up with the 21-year-old pop sensation to open the store.

"I think I won't be allowed out of the store - it has to be Guy," Sir Richard said
when asked who he was tipping to win World Idol.

The pair was surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans as Sir Richard presented Sebastian
with a special plaque to honour his success.

Sebastian shot to national stardom upon winning the popular Australian Idol reality
television series last month.

His debut album Just As I Am hit record stores today but advance sales of 300,000 copies
mean it has already hit platinum four times.

He beat fellow Idol contestant Shannon Noll during a national phone poll last month,
securing a recording contract with record label BMG Australia. Noll has since picked up
a contract with BMG.

Sebastian, known for his trademark afro hairstyle as much as his music, will fly to
London on Saturday to compete against other Idol winners from across the globe in a World
Idol contest to be screened around Christmas time.

The program will include British winner Will Young, American Idol Kelly Clarkson and
other Idol series winners from South Africa, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway,
the Middle East, Belgium and Canada.

Meanwhile, Sir Richard's part-owned discount air carrier Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd will
list on the Australian Stock Exchange later today.

Virgin Blue is set to storm onto the Australian share market at 1200 AEDT after its
initial public offer of shares was oversubscribed more than 10 times.

The country's biggest discount airline is owned by Sir Richard's Virgin Group and Australian
transport logistics company Patrick Corp.

"I am just going to ring the bell - it feels really good, we are very positive but
you never really know with the market," Sir Richard said.

His other business ventures in Australia include a Virgin credit card.

He said today his next project would be to introduce Virgin Radio.

"We are certainly planning to," Sir Richard said.

"We are trying to get hold of a licence so we can do it so we are working on it at the moment."

AAP jwm/sd/sco/br

KEYWORD: VIRGIN BRANSON

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