Chad Doucette Rex Goudie performs live on the Canadian Idol stage. Tyler Lewis and Chad Doucette shake hands after hearing the results.

Record-breaking vote count ousts Chad at Top 4

Updated Thu. Aug. 31 2006 6:53 PM ET

Eye on Idol

Nova Scotian Chad Doucette had no trouble finding the perfect words upon learning he had been eliminated from Canadian Idol at Top 4: "Everybody Hurts."

The mournful REM hit had been one of the 18-year-old's two performance numbers for Monday's "judges' choice" episode and suited the farewell moment perfectly. But Doucette's reworded version also made it clear he's not leaving his summer of pop-star boot camp disappointed.

"Now I'm not sure I've had enough of this show," he sang while the band played the tune. "'Cause everybody leaves sometimes, but you won't see me cry."

It wasn't his first time landing among the candidates for elimination, but Doucette's exit was nowhere near certain.

Quebecer Eva Avila and Newfoundlander Craig Sharpe were visibly shocked to find themselves safe on the sidelines after facing elimination in recent episodes. Doucette was called to centre stage with a surprised Tyler Lewis, who was in the bottom two for the first time yet.

The surprise results -- which came from a Canadian Idol record of 4.3 million votes -- proved an assertion host Ben Mulroney made the prior evening: when the competition is this good and only four singers are left, each week is anybody's game.

After delivering the results, Mulroney thanked Doucette for bringing his distinct voice back to the show a second time after making it as far as Top 200 in Season 3.

"I am so glad you decided to come back and audition this year," he said. "If there is anything you have shown us in your run to Top 4 is how memorable you are."

It wasn't the first time Doucette had earned compliments for his unique delivery. All four judges had commented on his distinct pipes from the day of his audition to minutes before his elimination.

"You've got a unique voice, which means you have to sing your own words," Jake Gold advised him. "Keep doing what you're doing and write songs."

After the season of inspiration and compliments -- and a final episode that featured a performance of the platinum single "Run" by Season 3 runner-up Rex Goudie -- Doucette left the show positive of his next move.

"I don't know if I was as confident in what I wanted to do before I started this competition, but now I am absolutely positive I want to be a musician," he said. "You guys showed me that it's alright to be unique. Thank you!"

If you are a Telus subscriber, you can text your comments, questions and support for Chad to 2428 (CHAT). Be sure to start your message "Chad" (Example: Chad - What will you miss most about the top ten?)

If you have a Telus mobile phone, you can check out his responses to your questions and comments Wednesday afternoon (August 30).