RUBEN STUDDARD and CLAY AIKEN

The two pals were rivals in the final of the second series of the hit US TV talent show , which Studdard won.

And now they're going head-to-head in the US album charts - Aiken's third album, covers compilation A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS, will hit stores on 19 September (06) while Studdard's new release, THE RETURN, will debut a week later (26SEP06).