TORONTO — Just over a week after placing second on Canadian Idol, Rex Goudie has inked a major label contract with powerhouse Sony-BMG -- the very same prize he was fighting Calgary's Melissa O'Neil for.

"As soon as Rex hit the stage, it was clear he was a star,'' the label's president, Lisa Zbitnew said in a statement about the Newfoundland singer, dubbed "Sexy Rexy'' by legions of fans.

"We are very excited to work with such a talented and charismatic vocalist on his debut album.''

It's no surprise he was snapped up given this year's show was a ratings bonanza for broadcaster CTV, beating previous record-setting seasons.

As well, this year's vote tally broke previous records with 3.65 million cast to decide the winner.

Goudie, known for his aw-shucks demeanour and penchant for white trucker caps, will return to Toronto this week from his Burlington, N.L. home, to begin writing and recording his debut album. Sony-BMG, which has first rights to sign any of the Top 10 finalists, expects it to hit stores by mid-December.

O'Neil, the 17-year-old rugby player turned Idol champ, has already began preparation for her album. The label has scheduled her CD for a fall release so as to capitalize on the show's popularity.

Industry watchers say it's not unusual for the Idol label to sign a runner-up so soon pointing to American Idol where 2003 winner Ruben Studdard and second-place finisher Clay Aiken were both snapped up.

"They were pretty much signed simultaneous,'' said Aaron Brophy, managing editor at Chart Magazine.

Their albums were released a month apart.

In Canada, BMG took on fourth place finalist Audrey de Montigny, from Season 1, a few short weeks after the show's conclusion, skipping over Gary Beals and Billy Klippert who finished second and third respectively.

"The people with true potential they'll snap up,'' said Brophy.

He doesn't suspect Goudie will steal any of O'Neil's Idol thunder.

"They'll probably come up with different sounding records,''