Pop Idol yet with rivals Gareth Gates and Will Young neck-and-neck as they won through to the final week.

TELLY viewers last night watched the most sensational Pop Idol yet with rivals Gareth Gates and Will Young neck-and-neck as they won through to the final week.

Almost SIX MILLION fans voted with long-time favourite Gareth, 17, getting 39.8 per cent of the poll.

That was just 29,000 votes ahead of 23-year-old Will Young on 39.3 per cent.

Former Popstars contender Darius Danesh, 21, was booted off the show after polling just 20.9 per cent.

The amazing result came on the day Gareth revealed he has recruited hypnotist Paul McKenna to help him overcome his stutter.

And last night Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell, speaking exclusively to the News of the World, claimed the Gareth v Will battle would be bigger than the general election.

Brilliant

He said: "The best two stars are in the final. Both Will and Gareth put on brilliant performances. They deserved all the votes they got. The public are far more interested in who wins Pop Idol than they were over the last election result."

An insider on the show admitted: "Will's performance astonished everyone last night.

"All week it was too close to call between Darius and Will, who were trailing behind Gareth in second place.

"But so impressed were the public with Will's singing that he shot way ahead of Darius when the polls closed.

"Now there's a real feeling that next Saturday Will could achieve what many people thought would be impossible only a few hours earlier and actually go on to win the top prize."

When the votes were announced by judges Ant & Dec, Gareth received a pat on the back from the two other contestants as he learned he was through.

Will buried his head in his hands as he was told he was into the final.

Learning he had been voted out, Darius turned to Will and hugged him. Gareth then put his arms around the duo as all three congratulated each other.

Will said: "I feel like screaming. It was just mad. This was the worst week as far as nerves go."

Emotional Darius took his defeat in good spirit, telling ITV1 viewers: "I'd like to thank everybody who picked up the telephone and made my dream come true.

"Over one million people voted for me. What do you say to that? It's incredible."

Later, as Pop Idol continued on ITV2, Gareth and Will were then asked to use three words to describe their feelings after last night's result. But as Gareth stuttered and was unable to speak, Will joked to his rival: "Come on, it's only three words!"

Gareth had performed The Beatles classic Yesterday and Westlife's Flying Without Wings as his two numbers on last night's show.

After Gareth had sung, Simon Cowell said: "Gosh, I'm almost speechless. I've never hidden my admiration for you, Gareth."

Will sung Beyond The Sea and a much praised version of Jackie Wilson's classic soul number Sweetest Feeling. As he praised Will, Cowell said: "It's so weird to be so nice all of the time."

Darius appeared nervous when he sang his first number, a cover of Toploader's Dancing In The Moonlight.

But he fared much better as he performed the Walker Brothers' Make It Easy On Yourself

Cowell, who had been one of Darius' fiercest critics earlier on in the series, last night leapt to his defence, saying: "You've proved to be a total professional." Later the hardman judge revealed he had given Darius a pat on the back after the show.

He said: "I wished Darius all the best and there were no hard feelings. Darius is a great singer."

Earlier, Gareth exclusively told the News of the World that he wants hypnotist McKenna to help him lose his stutter before he hits the big time.

The Bradford boy, whose stutter disappears when he sings, said: "I've never been hypnotised before but I think Paul McKenna is fantastic and I'm definitely going to give it a try.

"Paul must be the best in the business and if anyone can help me, he can. I've seen him on TV and what he does is amazing.

"If he can help in any way I'd be very grateful. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Paul, 38, is no stranger to high-profile hypnosis—his list of clients reads like a who's who from the world of showbiz.

Powers

He has used his powers of suggestion to help George Michael, Robbie Williams, Geri Halliwell, Jerry Hall, Ronan Keating and many more.

He told the News of the World: "I never talk about private clients but hypnosis is very effective with stutters. We shall have to wait and see."

Paul never charges clients but asks them to make a donation to charity.

Songwriter and former Eurythmics star Dave Stewart had a one-hour session a few months ago and gave £5,000 to a good cause.

A Pop Idol insider said: "This is a great opportunity for Gareth. He's a very brave and talented man.

"He's got a great future ahead of him and if anyone can help further his career then that's great news."

Last night bookies William Hill slashed the odds on Will to land next week's Pop Idol prize to 7/4 from 5/1.

Gareth remained firm favourite at 2/5.