KYLE SANDILANDS LEAVES AUSTRALIAN IDOL AFTER FOUR SEASONS… 🎤 WHO WILL TAKE HIS PLACE?
Kyle Sandilands leaves Australian Idol after four seasons as search begins for new judge
The former KIIS FM radio host has been a judge on Seven’s singing juggernaut for four years.
By Digital Staff
ARN seeks to use Kyle’s affidavit against Jackie O
(Source: The Morning Show)
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Kyle Sandilands won’t be on Australian Idol next year with the search now on for a new judge.
Majella Hay, Seven’s director of content, unscripted, wished Sandilands well and confirmed the hunt for someone with “their own unique energy”.
“We’ve had an amazing four seasons with Kyle and have loved everything he’s brought to Idol. We wish him well and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes with his new project,” she said.
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“Kyle is a one-off individual talent. I won’t say we are looking for a replacement, because no one can replace Kyle. But we are now looking for a new judge who brings their own unique energy to Australian Idol.”
Sandilands revealed on Friday he was leaving the show.
“I spoke with Channel Seven this morning, and those activists have attacked the potential clients for Australian Idol or the clients from last year, and [that] has caused a problem in Channel Seven’s sales team,” Sandilands told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“So I’ve told Channel Seven this morning, just prior to speaking to you, that I’m standing down from Idol for the good of the brand to continue,” he said.
Kyle Sandilands prepares for his new show
Kyle Sandilands prepares to launch his own show on August 10.
The show — called Kyle Sandilands Live — will be behind a paywall, with users required to pay for an annual subscription to access the new show described as “Kyle’s new home”.
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In the lead-up to the show’s premiere, speculation has been rife over who would join Sandilands and whether members of his former team would be recruited.
Last week, KIIS FM producer Jamie Blazquez, known as “Producer Mayo”, confirmed she would be joining the new show as executive producer.
Blazquez previously worked on Sandilands’ axed Kyle And Jackie O radio show for nine years.
“Excited to share that I have stepped into the role of Executive Producer for @kylesandilandslive,” Blazquez posted.
“I have loved working with Kyle for the past 9 years and looking forward to continue working with him on this new venture!”
In February, Sandilands and his long-time co-host Jackie “O” Henderson had an on-air clash which resulted in ARN Media cancelling their hit radio show and ending their $100 million contracts.
On March 5, Blazquez shared a statement on Instagram saying she was “gutted” over the decision.
“I had always dreamt of working on this show, so having had the opportunity to produce for Kyle & Jackie O for the past nine years has been an absolute privilege,” she wrote at the time.
“We weren’t just a show but we were a family so to see it end like this is heartbreaking.
“While everyone likes to give their two cents about what’s happened let’s just remember the legacy KJ have left and how many people they’ve inspired.”
In July, Sandilands’ manager and close friend, Bruno Bouchet, confirmed details of Kyle Sandilands Live.
Appearing on the Game Changers Radio podcast, Bouchet revealed the new program will broadcast live from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and be available through a stand-alone app.
Users are required to pay $99.99 for a 12-month subscription to the show.
“Instead of taking traditional calls like you would through mobiles and landlines, it’s all video calls and I think it’s going to be a fair bit of fun,” Bouchet said.
He also confirmed the show would include music and a newsreader, similar to a traditional radio program.
Asked how he felt about beginning the venture without Henderson by his side after almost three decades on air together, Sandilands said he had been left with “no option”.
“Like, this is what I do. Obviously, Jackie must be in the space where she doesn’t want to do that anymore,” Sandilands told News.com.au.
“But time will tell because she’s still in court, so we won’t be able to speak until after that.”
Their high-profile dispute stems from an on-air bust-up on February 20, when Sandilands hit out at his co-host, accusing Henderson of letting her interest in astrology affect her work.
Henderson’s $100 million contract was subsequently terminated, but the former KIIS FM star alleges she was unfairly sacked after refusing to work with Sandilands.
She is seeking a full payout of the remaining $82.25 million on her contract in a wrongful termination suit and is expected to give evidence about the impact working with Sandilands had on her health and wellbeing.
Sandilands settled his case with ARN in June, receiving a $12 million payout.
