D-Day for US version of Pop Idol

Today is D-Day for the US version of Pop Idol - American Idol.

Tonight either 23-year-old Justin Guarini or Kelly Clarkson, 20, will be named the winner after votes are cast by television viewers.

The winner’s first single will be out in less than two weeks while the first album will be out two months after that.

Meanwhile many of the other contestants who made it to the top 10 are expected to embark on successful careers.

The contest has also made a star out of acerbic British judge Simon Cowell.

Commonly known as the Mr Nasty of the judging panel, the music industry mogul is now one of the most prominent British celebrities on American television.

The other judges on the show are singer Paula Abdul and music industry veteran Randy Jackson.