Ruben is new American Idol

Ruben Studdard outsang Clay Aiken early today to become the new American Idol.

The cuddly mountain of soul edged out his lanky, spiky-haired rival for the title in viewer voting announced on the conclusion of the wildly-popular Fox TV amateur hour.

“I feel great, man! Thank y’all!” said Studdard, 24, of Birmingham, Alabama at the finale, live from Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre. Then, filled with emotion, he sang his song of gratitude, Flying Without Wings, as the crowd roared: “RU-ben, RU-ben!”

It was a close decision. Of 24 million phoned-in votes, 50.28% were for Ruben, putting him 130,000 votes ahead of Clay.

Clay, the 24-year-old runner-up from Raleigh, North Carolina, was gracious in defeat, calling Ruben “one of the most talented people I know, one of the best friends I have. I’m so proud of him!”.

Fox stretched the show into a two-hour marathon, announcing the winner just 10 minutes before the end.

Not only do viewers love seeing performers chase their dreams – they also savour watching those dreams dashed on live TV by put-downs from the panel of judges, who include Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and acid-tongued British Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell (with zingers on the order of: “Go back to your vocal coach and demand a refund”).

The smash run of the first “Idol” led to the coronation in September of Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old Texan who was signed by RCA Records and saw her album, Thankful, debut at number one last month.

Both Studdard and Aiken can expect no less, thanks to the showcase “Idol” has given them.

“There’s stars out there who would die to have this much exposure,” Aiken told The Associated Press recently.

And there are more competitions ahead – American Juniors, which will spotlight talented children, premieres on Fox in the autumn, then American Idol, season three, begins in January.