Marcia Hines is returning to “Australian Idol” next year as a guest judge.
Hines was part of the original judging line-up during the show’s first run from 2003 to 2009 alongside former record label executive Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson and pop star Mark Holden.
She also starred alongside Kyle Sandilands when he joined the program in 2005 through to 2009.
Sandilands is on the panel again for this iteration of “Australian Idol” with pop star Amy Shark and international recruits Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Junior.
Hines said she was honoured to be asked to come back.
“‘Australian Idol’ is a great vehicle for uncovering some fantastic Australian talent,” she said. “What a ride.”
She added: “I know it’s not an easy task singing in front of strangers, but I hope that contestants show us their heart and the gift that is their voice.”
Hines has released 22 albums, which have sold 2.6 million copies. She was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2017.
Locally, “Australian Idol” helped to launch the careers of Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, Courtney Act, Casey Donovan, Em Rusciano and Ricki-Lee Coulter, who will host the show in 2023 alongside Scott Tweedie.
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 auditions with a cut-off age for contestants of 28, which has been met with some discontent from sectors of the music industry.