The funny bit of the new season of Idols is done and dusted and now the hard work begins… I secretly wish we had more audition centers around the country because that would mean we could laugh a little more, but it’s time to get down to business. Last night’s episode dealt with the first bit of what has become known as ‘Hell week’… Hell because there’s very little time, very little sleep, a lot of nervous energy and plenty of tension – especially when it comes to the group sessions. The judges are ruthless and cull like it means nothing, so the contestants have to step up to the plate, bring their A-game and ensure that they have the drive, the passion and of course the talent to be the next South African Idol. Here are the 31 hopefuls going through to the next round of hell week. One thing’s for sure, one of these names will be shining bright come November: Boitumelo Morobane (20) from Johannesburg

Bongiwe Silinda (23) from Nelspruit

Celine Homan (17) from Gordon’s Bay

Chante Geary (20) from Witbank

Chloë Clark (25) from Durban

Demi Lee (24) from Durbanville

Dineo Moseki (20) from Tlakgameng in Northwest

Eddie Koeberg (24) from Plettenberg Bay

Hanan Baarth (20) from Cape Town

Ivan Roux (23) from Centurion

Kyle “London” Louw (24) from Cape Town

Kyle Deutschmann (26) from Durban

Lebogang Komane (19) from Ga Rankuwa

Leon van Zyl (18) from Springs

Lihle Buthelezi (25) from Ladysmith

Lize Mynhardt (21) from Stellenbosch

Lyle Tyrell (21) from Cape Town

Malibongwe Zulu (20) from Durban

Mirandi Smith (25) from Rustenburg

Monique Erens (17) from Cape Town

Morgan Deane Smith (30) from Cape Town

Musa Mashiane (27) from eMalahleni

Niyaaz Arendse (18) from Ottery

Olivia Cloud (16) from Johannesburg

Rowan de Villiers (23) from Durbanville

Roxy McVean (19) from Cape Town

Sarah Swanepoel (22) from Durbanville

Tebogo Louw (22) from Stellenbosch

Thulane Masango (23) from eMalahleni

Vincent Bones (29) from Durban

Vincent Verhoog (25) from Parow

Did you watch the show? Did you enjoy it? Did the right people go through? Holler with your comments