January 24, 2008

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian teenager who hosted a wild party that caused a near-riot after 500 guests saw his Internet invitation has decided to turn professional and will host a national party tour, he said on Thursday.

Corey Delaney, 16, became notorious at home and abroad after throwing a party while his parents were on holidays. He posted a MySpace notice and revelers caused A$20,000 ($17,500) in damages before the party was broken up by police and the dog squad.

Delaney said he had taken on an Australian celebrity agent, Max Markson, and had given up plans to be a carpenter to host and DJ parties in Sydney and Brisbane over the next two months, with another in Melbourne on his 17th birthday on March 21.

"Working on a building site was pretty hard. Now I've got a manager, life's good," Delaney told Australian television.

Parties in Adelaide and Perth, in southern and western Australia, were also planned, he said, although life had become a "bit crazy" since he became infamous. Delaney was arrested after the party.

Markson, agent for many Australian celebrities, said the teen could make up to A$100,000 from his tour and could become rich, although Markson would pocket 20 percent of his earnings.

"He did a great party in the wrong place. We're going to put on a great party in the right place," Markson told Australian Associated Press.

Delaney has been lionized by youths as a legend and condemned as an arrogant brat by most other Australians, with Web sites inviting people to "slap Corey down the street." By Thursday Delaney had been slapped by 695,000 Internet users.

Markson said Delaney, who temporarily moved out of home to escape his furious parents, had been punished enough and should be allowed to make a living.

"His family has taken him back. He's 16 and left school. He's got to work," he said.

(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by David Fogarty)

© Reuters 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Editor's Note: The boy is already a legend on the Daily Flog.