Kyle Sandilands announces his surprise return to reality TV
Radio icon Kyle Sandilands has revealed that he will be returning as a judge on Australian Idol for the show’s upcoming reboot on Channel Seven next year.
Kyle, who appeared on the original series from 2005 to 2009, confirmed the news on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Monday morning while answering questions from his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
“Will any of the other remaining judges like Marcia [Hines], Ian [Dickson] or Mark [Holden] be returning?” she asked.
“No, I'm the only one still alive on TV,” he responded. “Marcia would be good. See, I straight up said I’d take Marcia any day of the week because Marcia’s unreal and a real solid performer, but I think she is touring around.”
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The 51-year-old said he would like to be joined by three other celebrities on the panel, including “at least one other Australian, a big name from the US and a big name from the UK”.
He also shared that the reboot will have a new host because Osher Günsberg is “too busy hosting all these other shows on Channel Ten”.
‘Nasty judge’
Elsewhere in the radio segment, the former Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor Australia judge was asked if he would be a “nasty judge” on Australian Idol.
“Well, I can do no other role, Jackie. I can only be myself,” he remarked.
“I can guarantee one thing. I like The Voice, but I won’t be one of those wishy-washy Voice judges who are like, ‘No matter how disgusting you are to look at, you’ve got a great voice’. I’m not interested in that s**t.”
Kyle said he is expected to officially sign the contract later this week, which he told the show’s producers he will only do live on the radio.
The KIIS host originally joined Australian Idol for the show’s third season but was replaced by record executive Jay Dee Springbett in season seven after a controversial radio stunt.
Channel Ten said in a statement at the time: “It's increasingly clear that as Idol has remained a family-focused show, his radio has taken on a more controversial position over this period which is not in the interest of the show.”
While it’s reported that Kyle was paid $1 million a season before being fired, it’s currently unknown how much money he will receive for the reboot.
Who else might be on the judging panel?
One celebrity rumoured to be joining the upcoming Australian Idol revival is pop star Ricki-Lee, who shot to stardom on the second season of the singing competition in 2004 where she came seventh.
Yahoo Lifestyle spoke with Ricki-Lee about the rumours last month, however, the Australia’s Got Talent host remained tightlipped.
“Look, I am up to my eyeballs in Australia's Got Talent right now,” she said when asked if she would want to be a part of the new season.
“And whenever I do anything, I am totally up to my eyeballs. Whenever I do anything, I'm fully immersed in it and that is just my full focus right now.”
Other rumoured stars include Keith Urban and Delta Goodrem, who have both appeared as coaches on The Voice.
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