The nervous hopefuls were played music and encouraged to dance while they queued. Jone Nikula and Sony BMG producer Asko Kallonen, two of the three judges, arrived in Oulu airport at 5.45 pm, their flight delayed. They were met excitedly by 2004 idols winner Hanna Pakarinen and last year’s third runner-up, polish born Agnes Pihlava.  Both girls wore jeans, black jackets, and furry hats. Pihlava, whose loss last year has been attributed to rumours in Finnish tabloids, recently released an English-language cd with Sony BMG. Entitled “When The Night Falls,” the album includes a song by Eurovision nonpareil Mr Lordi.

The Idols website reported that the judges were ‘happy’ with the reception and turnout. Judge number three, singer Nina Tapio, commented, “there was a good atmosphere in Oulu, and yes, we found some pearls.” Jone Nikula told the crowd, “this room may contain the person, who in a year’s time has sold gold and carried the mantle of a new idol.” Nikula has appeared on the show 'Dances with stars", hosted  bands The Cardigans and Opeth at the 2006 Ruisrock festival, and managed English-shrieking Finnsters Hanoi Rocks.

Jani Toivola will replace smooth-tongued Heikki Paasonen as male presenter on the Idols tv show, alongside Ellen Jokikunnas. Jani, a Finnish-Kenian actor and dancer, has acted in the Monday-night tv drama Käenpesä and in the sketch show Ähläm Sähläm, which depicts immigrant reactions to Finland.

The next Idols auditions are in Turku’s Nuorten taide- ja toimitalo Vimma on November 11.