Australian Idol host Marcia Hines taken to hospital after collapsing in dressing room

Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines was rushed to hospital just hours before she was due to appear on the hit TV show, after a sudden collapse.

Australian Idol host Marcia Hines has been taken to hospital, after collapsing in her dressing room prior to the show’s grand final episode on Channel 7 on Sunday.

It is understood Hines — who is a judge on the hit reality TV show — collapsed in a dressing room at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill on Sunday afternoon.

A source told East Coast media that Hines “won’t be on Idol tonight” with Guy Sebastian instead filling in as judge.

“Marcia had a medical emergency and was rushed to hospital,” the production source said.

Marcia Hines reportedly collapsed in her dressing room in Rooty Hill prior to the Australian Idol grand final on Sunday. Picture: Pete Wallis Photograph.

It is understood the 70-year-old was transported by ambulance from the site, and is now in a stable condition.

Following her collapse, Hines shared a message on social media — updating her almost 40k followers that she had been feeling “a little unwell”.

“I’m very sorry that I’m not there with you all tonight,” Hines shared to her Instagram on Sunday night.

“It’s been a big few days of work and I was feeling a little unwell. I’m resting up now so I can be back with you all tomorrow night.”

At the beginning of Sunday night’s episode, Australian Idol host Ricki-Lee Coulter announced that Hines would not be present for the show.

Australian Idol hosts Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark.

“You will have spotted that we are missing someone very important and very special to the Idol family,” Coulter said.

“Unfortunately Marcia is unwell and unable to join us tonight.”

In response, fellow judge Kyle Sandilands clarified that his co-judge didn’t just “ring up with a headache”.

“Sorry, sorry. That’s a real downplay,” he said.

“She [Hines] was taken out of here in an ambulance.

“Just so that everyone knows. She’s fine. She’s well. But she didn’t just ring up with a headache. She went down.”

Marcia Hines shared a health update on her Instagram account on Sunday night.

Social media users were quick to show their support, wishing “lovely” Hines a “speedy recovery”.

“Wishing Marcia Hines a speedy recovery. Lovely lady and charming customer from the Bondi days,” one wrote on X.

“I pray Marcia Hines is ok. One of the greatest Australian artist,” another added.

Hines has previously spoken about living with Type 1 diabetes, a condition she was diagnosed with when she was in her 30s.

Speaking with Starts at 60,Hines said she found out she had the condition when she lost “unnatural amounts of weight.”

“I didn’t feel 100 per cent,” she told the publication.

“I wasn’t expecting to get it, I was still exercising and still eating well, but genetics you can’t fight.

“Before I was diagnosed as a diabetic, I ate terribly, I skipped meals — mightn’t eat for a day or so — and I can’t really do that anymore,” Hines has said previously.

However, it is unclear what caused Hines to collpase on Sunday.

The show’s Grand Finale will be taking place over two nights on Channel 7, and will see 23-year-old Denvah Baker-Moller from Rockhampton, 25-year-old Amy Reeves from Broome, and 31-year-old Dylan Wright from the Northern Rivers compete for the 2024 title.

More to come

Originally published as Australian Idol host Marcia Hines taken to hospital after collapsing in dressing room