The Seven Network has refused to comment on whether Kyle Sandilands is indeed slated to appear as a judge on the upcoming season of “Australian Idol”.
Sandilands made the claims earlier this week on his Kiis FM breakfast radio show in Sydney, saying he was going to make the “head honchos” from the network “march into the studio with the contract”.
Despite not having ‘officially’ signed on, Sandilands also claimed he had both veto and approval powers for those who would – or would not – be sitting beside him on the desk.
Later in the segment, he implied he had gone rogue with the announcement, saying he had received a text message asking him not to make the news public yet.
Despite that, the radio show also announced the news on Twitter.
The Seven Network declined to comment on the Sandilands speculation when approached by Variety Australia, and noted they had not made any announcements on the lineup yet.
Sandilands’ management also said they would not be commenting any further on the matter.
🎤He's back, baby!
Full deets 👉🏻https://t.co/YOFjs24Tfp#AustralianIdol pic.twitter.com/IJxjf0C1Vx— Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo) August 14, 2022
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.
“Australian Idol” 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.