Kyle Sandilands dumped as judge on Australian Idol
Darren Devlyn
August 04, 2009 12:00am
.KYLE Sandilands has been dumped as a judge on Australian Idol as his career goes into freefall.
Ten moved to protect the reputation of its family-friendly talent show as the fallout continues over Sandilands' radio segment involving a 14-year-old rape victim.
Ten made the decision after pressure from viewers and advertisers to ditch the radio shock jock.
"Australian Idol is firmly a family program and the recent controversy surrounding Kyle's radio program has highlighted more than ever the conflicting attitude of the two careers," a Channel 10 spokesman said.
"Idol has remained a family-focused show, even more so this year with the 6.30pm Sunday timeslot. His radio persona has taken on a more controversial position . . . which is not in the interest of the show."
The move comes days before Australian Idol returns on Sunday for a seventh season.
Sandilands will be seen alongside Marcia Hines and Ian "Dicko" Dickson in the first three episodes, which already have been filmed.
The axing comes a day after Sandilands and co-host Jackie O were pulled off air indefinitely by radio station 2DayFM.
In a statement , Sandilands lamented he would not be part of the talent show.
"I'm disappointed at Channel 10's decision to remove me from Australian Idol. I have truly loved being a part of the show," he said.
It is believed Sandilands earns $1 million of his estimated annual $2.8 million income from Idol.
Ten held crisis talks with advertisers at the weekend amid concerns Sandilands would damage their brands.
Idol creator Simon Fuller has reportedly given Ten his blessing to dump Sandilands.
Family groups also praised the decision. "Maybe he'll sit down and think about what a clown he's been and how he needs to lift his game," Family Council of Victoria spokesman Bill Muehlenberg said.
Former Idol judge Mark Holden was dismayed the decision took so long, saying every day was likely to take its toll on the 14-year-old girl who had been attached to a lie detector and questioned about her Tree life.
