Kyle Sandilands has claimed he will imminently sign a contract with the Seven Network, making him the first judge on the revived “Australian Idol”.
Sandilands was previously a judge on the program back in 2005 for Season 3 of the show when it was on Channel 10.
He was dropped in 2009 amidst intense public backlash over a radio stunt on his then station 2Day FM.
Sandilands and long-term co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson have since moved to ARN’s Kiis FM.
The radio host gave the appearance of going ‘rogue’ on his radio show this week, announcing his appointment before signing on the dotted line.
“I think this week they’re bringing the contract,” he said. “I said I’d only sign it on the radio show. So all the big head honchos have to march into the studio with the contract… I’ll sign it live on air and gloat and carry on,” he said before claiming he had been told not to announce the news yet.
Sandilands noted he didn’t know who else would be on the judging panel, but said he had been given power to sign off on his co-stars.
“I’m not going to be doing the show with a bunch of knobs… I’d like at least one other Australian… I would love a big name U.S. and a big name U.K… A lot of big stars are interested,” he said.
Sandilands and his team acknowledged “times had changed” since he was last on the program, but he said while he doesn’t plan on being nasty, he can only be himself.
“I wont be like a, I like “The Voice”, but I won’t be one of them wishy-washy “Voice” judges who are like ‘No matter how disgusting you are to look at, you’ve got a great voice’. No, I’m not interested in that shit.”
The show was originally slated to return this year, as part of the Seven Network’s revival of various proven hits and nostalgic shows including “Big Brother” and “Farmer Wants A Wife” and nabbing “The Voice” from rival Nine.
It appears COVID delayed the program, and it will now go to air in 2023.
The show has begun casting with a cut-off age for contestants of 28, which has been met with some discontent from sectors of the music industry.
The Seven Network has been approached for comment.