How are you feeling about your decision the morning after?
Yeah, I'm very happy.

What was the catalyst?
There's not one particular moment, just a combination of a couple of feelings that I've had that have built up over the last couple of weeks. It sort of culminated on Saturday night. I just had a real moment of clarity where I thought, "I'm done." I thought I can't be 100 per cent committed to this so it's not really fair for me to stay when there's four other people who are mad keen for it. I rang one of the producers late Saturday night and he said, "OK, we'll chat about it in the morning." So we had a chat yesterday morning and that was it. I was pretty resolute with my decision.

Did you discuss this with the other contestants?
No, I wasn't able to. I was sworn to secrecy so no-one knew. Not even my mum and dad knew and they were in the audience. But I caught up with them on Saturday arvo and they could tell something was up. They took it well. They're just happy if I'm happy.

How did the final four take it?
All four of them were upset. We went backstage straight after I made the announcement and there were lots of tears. But I just had to really make sure that they understood this is the right thing for me. I felt like I really didn't have anything left in the tank. It was just time and I've been around long enough to know [that] when it's time, it's time. I'm really stoked James got the opportunity to sing again on stage and he did a good job and hopefully he gets another chance.

Were you concerned about backlash?
I haven't worried too much about that because I know this is what I needed to do. I'm sure there'll be some negative stuff attached to this, but if I know I've made the right decision for me in my heart of hearts, if that's not good enough for other people, than that's not my problem.

Have you considered the parallels with Cosima De Vito's decision to withdraw in 2003?
I smiled at the similarities, but it's a completely different set of circumstances.

Did you quit because you felt you didn't have a chance to win?
No, no. Not at all.

Do you regret not making the decision sooner?
Not at all. I mean, even on Friday I had probably my favourite workshop of all with the Madden brothers. They are the best blokes, incredibly humble and really softly spoken and we just got on really well. A couple of people said to me after the show how much they enjoyed my workshop and that they were really looking forward to hearing me sing those two songs I practised for them. Then they came up to me after the show and said the same thing. They said they were disappointed not to hear me sing. Then Joel said, "I have to tell you that you've made an impression on me." It's just nice to hear stuff like that, you know?

Why did you go on Australian Idol?
Because I wanted to be a famous singer! For weeks I wanted to win, absolutely. I'm not going to say anything different. There were times when I thought - even in the past few weeks - "hang on, I've got half a chance here." But recently I felt I don't have it in my heart to really give this all that it deserves and these other guys do. So it was time for me to step down.

Do you plan to continue pursuing a music career?
It's too early to say. I don't even know what's happening tomorrow. I don't know if any opportunities are going to arise from this. I'm looking forward to getting back into teaching for a while and incorporating music into my teaching, which is a great thing. And then to just write. I'm just going to really sink my teeth into writing and get on my piano and my guitar and think how I've grown and what I've learnt and see if I can put it into a few songs.

How much were you missing teaching?
A lot. If you're a real teacher, then it's in you. I just get such a massive buzz out of helping kids form a good solid foundation. I mentor a group of young lads and I look forward to getting home and chatting to them about my experience and hopefully they can learn something from it.

Speaking of kids, do you want your own family?
Absolutely. I've got to find a wife first!

Are you seeing anybody?
No, I'm footloose and fancy-free. There have been a few propositions, but I haven't had time to do anything but sing. So I'm looking forward to getting amongst it a bit.

What was your Idol highlight?
Singing "My Way" with the big band was a huge buzz. And I've met life-long friends in both the contestants and people who work on the show, so that's probably what I'll hang on to the most.

Who did you get closest too?
Obviously Casey and I became great mates; we're the same age and we speak every week on phone. Stan and I are pretty close. We would always stay up late and have good chats. Tim and Scott became great mates as well.

What was the hardest part of Idol?
I just missed home. I missed my nieces and nephews and my mates. Being 30, I've been able to do whatever I want whenever I want for so long, so this was a change in environment.

Who do you tip to win?
I can't say. I would seriously love for any of them to win.

Regardless of your decision to quit, do you have any regrets from your time on the show?
No. Sometimes hindsight is a beautiful thing, but you can't really live with regrets, I don't think. I just had a crack.

What do you want your fans to know?
I just hope that they understand where I'm coming from and that I'm sorry if they feel a bit let down. But I had to do what I had to do. And I just want to say thanks for all their support and their votes and the beautiful messages.

Australian Idol airs Sundays, 7.30 PM, on Network Ten