American singer Marcia Hines to return for Australian Idol finale after medical emergency

Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines will return on Monday night after after a medical drama on set of the reality singing show.

Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines will return on Monday night after after a medical drama on set of the reality singing show.

Hines, 70, collapsed in her dressing room before Sunday night’s episode and was taken to hospital.

Channel Seven confirmed Hines would return for the second episode in the two part season grand finale.

“Thank you to everyone for all your well wishes and love,” Hines shared on Instragram.

“I’m feeling much better now and I’m so excited to see you all tonight for the Grand Final.”

Confidential understands Hines collapsed in her dressing room at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill on Sunday.

Marcia Hines Instragram post on Monday.

Guy Sebastian filled in for industry veteran Hines.

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

The source said staff were told it was an issue with Hines’ diabetes.

Hines is a judge on the show alongside Amy Shark and Kyle Sandilands, and took to Instagram just as Sunday’s episode begun, sharing she was feeling “a little unwell”.

“I’ve very sorry I’m not there with you all tonight... it’s been a big few days of work,” the 70-year-old said.

Australian Idol judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark. Picture: Seven

She added she was “resting up” to return for the final episode of the show on Monday night.

Hines’ absence was addressed in the first few moments of Australian Idol on Seven on Sunday evening, with Sandilands and Shark brought out to take their seats on the judges’ panel before hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie explained why the panel was a judge short.

“You will have spotted that we are missing someone very important and very special to the Idol family, unfortunately Marcia is unwell and unable to join us tonight,” Coulter began, before Sandilands interjected with “ Sorry, that’s a real downplay, she was taken out of here in an ambulance... she’s well, but she didn’t just ring up with a headache.”

Marcia Hines was “unwell and unable” to be on the grand final show. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Coulter and Tweedie then introduced Sebastian - the first ever winner of the reality show and who was slated to be part of the entertainment lineup for tonight’s program- onto the stage, ushering him to his seat.

“Gee I get around,” Sebastian, who has previously played judge on reality singing shows The Voice and X Factor Australia, joked.
Shark and Sandilands were quick to joke about his previous experience.

“Sorry about the white chairs,” Shark teased, before Sandilands quipped: “Yeah these don’t spin around.”

The grand final will be held over two nights, culminating in a winner being revealed Monday.

The top three going into the final are Dylan Wright, Amy Reeves and Denvah Baker-Moller.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]