James will perform alongside his fellow top 12 contestants in what promises to be a spectacular last hurrah for his surreal Idol journey.

Stan Walker and Hayley Warner will battle it out for the title of 2009 Australian Idol after James was eliminated from the competition last week.

Although he was disappointed to have been eliminated, it was what James expected to happen.

"I'm feeling good ? I made it to the top three of Idol you know, I haven't done too bad," James said.

He admitted to feeling emotional when soaking up the praise from the judges and audience on Sunday night. He even got a standing ovation.

"I was holding back the tears a little bit . . . when you think about where I've come from ? I'm just a boy from Wingham ? it's beyond me."

From here, James is keen to launch into writing and recording his own album, perhaps in Taree.

"It's an exciting time ? a new chapter. I'm looking forward to seeing what all of this sort of brings."

Stan is the favourite to win the competition at $1.22, according to sportingbet.com. Hayley will enter the night as the $4.40 underdog.

The Idol finale screens live on Southern Cross Ten from 7.30pm on Sunday.