Bring back bad boy Kyle Sandilands

FANS are calling for bad-boy Kyle Sandilands to return to Australian Idol, branding his replacement Jay Dee Springbett a boring, humourless no-name.

FANS are calling for bad-boy Kyle Sandilands to return to Australian Idol, branding his replacement Jay Dee Springbett a boring, humourless no-name.

The Sony talent scout joined Marcia Hines and Ian ``Dicko'' Dickson on Idol's judging panel after Sandilands was axed for a poor-taste radio stunt on Sydney's 2Day FM.

Springbett's obvious music credentials and nice-guy appeal have so far failed to win over many Idol fans who are using online forums to rally behind Sandilands.

On social-networking website Facebook more than 21,200 people have joined the group "Bring Kyle Sandilands Back" compared to the 500-odd in the groups devoted to axing him from radio and tv.

Sandilands' Facebook supporters say he is not to blame for subjecting a teenage rape victim to a lie-detector test on live radio on July 29.

"Kyle did nothing wrong. It is the mother's fault," one outraged fan writes.

"Time to boycott Channel 10," adds another.

Fans say they "miss his wit" and that the show has become ``too serious'' without Sandilands and Mark Holden, who left the series in 2008.

Holden, who created the "touchdown", said Idol had been more damaged by the loss of Sandilands than the controversy.

"Kyle is a friend. I like him," Holden said.

"The brand has been diluted by the constant changes to the format.

"People forget it's not just Kyle. There's been many moves. John Foreman's gone, James Mathison's gone and I'm gone.

"It's a different show now and people like stability."

Holden said Springbett was "a lovely chap" but Idol now lacked the humour provided by himself, Sandilands and Mathison.

Former contestant Mark Spano said he was "disappointed" Ten had not stuck by Sandilands.

"It's been a witch hunt," he said.

"I love Kyle. He doesn't sugar-coat anything. He's the perfect judge.

"Jay Dee's got a great knowledge of music but Dicko does too.

"There needs to be a balance.

"Dicko knows music, Marcia has the niceness and then there was the evilness of Kyle.

"The show will be lacking something without him."