Dicko happy to be an Aussie
26th January 2007, 13:00 WST

Former Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson and his family were among dozens of immigrants to receive citizenship certificates from Prime Minister John Howard at a ceremony in Canberra.



The British expatriate, who returns to the hit Channel Ten program this year, joked it would be just his luck to become an Australian, only to see the England cricket team finally find form and beat Australia in Friday's day night match.

"This will be my luck, I'll turn Australian today and tonight the Poms will bloody flog the Aussies won't they, knowing my luck after this summer of cricket," he joked with reporters after the ceremony.

He dismissed suggestions contestants on his show might be more open to his advice now he was an Australian.

"I don't think delusion when it comes to talent knows any national boundaries," he said.

"Look, the good thing about the panel is it is 100 per cent Aussie now so I think we are going to go out and find a real dinky-di Aussie idol this year."

He said he would celebrate on Friday night in the traditional Australian way: a barbecue at home with his mates.

"It (the ceremony) was really very special ... I think to wake up here this morning and come down and have the Prime Minister present me and my lovely family with out citizenship certificate certainly is such a beautiful scene," he said.

"I feel a bit near to tears."