University bachelor a promising outsider for Cleo award

Jacquelyn Curtis spoke to eligible student Adam Miller ahead of this year's Bachelor of the Year awards.

19 September 2006: What do swimmer Geoff Huegill, Australian Idol host Andrew G, Sports Tonight anchor Ryan Phelan and the 'Blue Wiggle' Anthony Field share in common?

They're all finalists for the Cleo Bachelor of the Year crown.

More accustomed to competing on the track, bachelor Adam Miller was modest about his chances of winning the contest Photo: Kimberly Douglas

Now in its 20th year, the swoon-fest features the regular crop of pro-surfers, footballers, musicians and a few average Joe Bloes. Also in contention is a familiar local face - Olympic athlete and University of Canberra communication student Adam Miller.

Mr Miller joins the ranks of soccer hero Lucas Neill, McLeod's Daughters heart-throb Luke Jacobz, Nova FM host Jabba and Hamish's side-kick Andy Lee, all of whom are vying for the title.

Mr Miller said he "took his nomination as a compliment" and was "pretty excited about the whole thing".

"We got to do a photo shoot in Sydney, and we were all laying beside the pool drinking beer and eating pizza - so I guess we were bachelors in the true sense of the word," he said.

Monitor spoke to Mr Miller just after his arrival in Melbourne for the ceremony to crown this year's winner, where the bachelor activities continued with a "poker tournament, black tie dinner, after party and then an after after party".

Mr Miller predicted Socceroo Lucas Neill would win the title.

"He's got that whole celebrity status behind him now," he said.

Mr Miller himself boasts impressive credentials - he is currently studying Bachelor of Communication (Advertising and Marketing) as well as training under a scholarship at the AIS. The 22-year-old sprinter competed in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games earlier this year and at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

These factors, in addition to a shirtless photo featured in the magazine, have placed him in the middle of the pack with odds of 67-1 to win according to Centrebet. Mr Miller has also edged out fellow Canberra 'celebrity' Joe Gleeson, roving reporter and producer for Mix 106.3.

But a modest Mr Miller down played his odds.

"I think I have no chance of winning, but I've certainly enjoyed the ride."

The eventual Cleo Bachelor of the Year winner was funnyman Andy Lee