Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden ‘hurt’ by return of touchdowns

Mark Holden founded the iconic Australian Idol ‘touchdown’ two decades ago, and he’s not happy its made a comeback on the reboot.

Legendary Australian Idol judge Mark Holden has spoken out against Seven’s decision to bring back his iconic ‘touchdowns’.

The 68-year-old Australian singer, who was part of the original judging trio with Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson and Marcia Hines when the show first premiered in 2003, founded the catchphrase in Idol’s inaugural season.

Holden’s animated touchdowns were a highlight among viewers over the years – granted to contestants who delivered a next level performance.

Singer Mark Holden, judge on set of TV programme ''Australian Idol''. /TV/programs/Titles/Australian/Idol

Idol’s return to screens this year for the first time in 14 years has seen the return of the touchdown, with Kyle Sandilands and Meghan Trainor both handing one out during Monday night’s live shows. Amy Shark delivered a touchdown on Sunday, while previews for upcoming episodes show Harry Connick Jr will also get in on the action.

Speaking to Herald Sun, Holden claimed he was “hurt” by the return of his beloved touchdown, adding he would’ve liked to have at least been contacted.

“My family and I are a little bit hurt by it, to be honest,” he told the publication.

Holden, Marcia Hines and Ian Dickson were the original trio of judges when Idol launched in 2003. Picture: Paul Mathews

“I thought (producers) would’ve reached out to me. These people are my friends. Well, some of them. It’s hurtful they haven’t bothered to reach out.

“It’s a beautiful thing that I got to create, and have that voice at that particular time. But I’m sure there’s plenty of people in the audience who would understand how I’d feel, and they’d probably feel the same way if it happened to them.”

Kyle Sandilands handed out a touchdown on Monday night's episode.

Holden said Sandilands reached out to him yesterday to discuss the issue, though didn’t divulge on what was said.

Sandilands replaced Dicko on the panel back in 2005 until the show ended in 2009, and was the only past judge to return to the rebooted series.

The 51-year-old KIIS FM co-host first announced his return to Idol on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in August, where he made a light-hearted dig at his former colleagues.

When pressed by Jackie whether any of the original judges would be returning, Sandilands said, “No, none of them.”

“I’m the only one who’s still alive, I feel the others have all passed away … I mean alive on TV,” he clarified.

Originally published as Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden ‘hurt’ by return of touchdowns