Pop Idol hopeful Chris Hide is the best singer in the contest but looks like the mole in kids' cartoon Deputy Dawg, says judge Pete Waterman.

The music producer has given his verdict on the eight contestants due to perform in the programme's next heat tomorrow night.

Only Andy Scott-Lee and Susanne Manning escaped any acid comments and got his seal of approval.

But despite calling Chris "a bit odd", the 18-year-old from Lancing was praised.

Mr Waterman said: "Chris is an enigma. I think he's fantastic and the best singer by a long way."

Chris, who was studying for his A-levels at Boundstone College, Lancing, this time last year, changed his look after being dubbed "the vicar" by judge Neil Fox, ditching his spectacles for contact lenses.

But his image change was criticised by Mr Waterman.

He said: "I wish he had put his glasses back on. If he squints anymore I'm going to go up there and lend him mine. It's driving me mad.

"Whoever told him to take his glasses off made a mistake. He looks like the mole from Deputy Dawg."

Chris's fellow contestants fared worse.

Mr Waterman said 16-year-old Roxanne Cooper's performances were inconsistent and she was too young to win.

He also declared Sam Nixon, 17, just gets by on his looks.