I won Australian Idol – then fell prey to a hoax

Casey Donovan was a shy sixteen-year-old from the Sydney suburbs when she first auditioned for the talent show, Australian Idol. It felt like a long shot but to her surprise, she was voted through week after week until in December 2004 she did the unthinkable and won –becoming the youngest and first ever Indigenous winner of the show. Soon after, as she was touring Australia with a number one single in the charts, she received a phone call from an unknown number. Despite Casey's misgivings they started speaking daily, quickly becoming intertwined in each other’s lives –before falling victim to a devastating hoax. But who was the voice on the other end of the line?

(Photo: Casey Donovan performs on stage, singing into a microphone to her left. She has short, dark curly hair and is wearing a black dress with thin shoulder straps. Her eyes are closed, and her mouth is open wide as she appears to be holding a strong note. Blue stage lights shine through the dark background while warm light illuminates her face and upper body. Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage)

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Zoe Gelber