'Australian Idol' runner-up defends Donovan

Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea has defended the show's winner, Casey Donovan, following rumours that she is facing the axe from her record company.

Despite being beaten to the title of Australian Idol by Donovan last year, Callea has spoken out against her critics.

"Casey should be very proud of what she has achieved - she has a platinum album at 16 years of age," Callea told the Herald Sun. "She was the Australian Idol because Australians voted for her."

Callea has admitted to calling up Donovan and apologising after his debut single knocked her Listen With Your Heart single from the top of the charts at Christmas.

"I left a message saying 'I'm really sorry I knocked you off the No. 1 spot," he explained.

Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water, Callea's next single, is released in Australia on Monday.