Mark Holden unhappy with the use of the touchdown catchphrase on Australian Idol reboot

Mark Holden has hit out at Australian Idol producers, saying it is “hurtful” the judges on the new show are using his old phrase.

Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden is “hurt” and “disappointed” his catchphrase “Touchdown” — paired with the famous windmill-meets-gun slinger hand gestures — has been rebooted on the show.

Holden, an OG Idol judge alongside Marcia Hines and Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, worked on the-then Channel 10 show from 2003 to 2007.

But Holden said he is “hurt” over the “Touchdown” resurfacing on Channel 7’s reboot of Idol, with Harry Connick Jr, Meghan Trainor, Kyle Sandilands and Amy Shark in the judges chairs.

Shark awarded a “Touchdown” to Anya Hynninen on Sunday, which fast-tracked the Victorian singer into the top 12.

On Monday night, Sandilands threw a “Touchdown” to Melbourne singer Maya Weiss, and Trainor did similar to WA teenager Phoebe Stewart.

According to promos for Tuesday night’s show, Connick will also gift a “Touchdown” on the singing show.

But Holden told the Herald Sun: “My family and I are a little bit hurt by it, to be honest.

“I thought (Idol 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.

Holden says ‘my family and I are a little bit hurt by it, to be honest’.

“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,” Holden added.

“It’s just really disappointing to me. I reached out to (Idol producers), and … suggested an alternative to the Touchdown. My idea was Power Play, where (KIIS-FM broadcaster) Kyle could give one of the singers high rotation airplay.

“That’s me trying to be helpful. But they didn’t even bother to reply. That’s hurtful.”

Holden said Sandilands called him on Monday to discuss the issue.

“I’m just considering how I feel,” Holden said.

Holden said he created the “Touchdown” during Idol’s first season in 2003.

“The Rugby World Cup was happening, and I used to live in America. The ‘Touchdown’ just erupted in me one day. It was my response to an incredible performance, and it just grew from that,” Holden said.

“It was a lot of fun, and it meant something.”

Holden added: “The best thing about Idol was, in pre-2003 there were a limited number of gatekeepers in Australia, and those gatekeepers were essentially white males.

“Not surprisingly they signed white males, and some white females. There were very few exceptions.

“Once Idol came, the audience got to see people like Guy Sebastian, and Casey Donovan, and they chose them (as the show’s winners). It represented a great change in the culture of music in Australia. I’m really proud of that.”

The Herald Sun contacted Channel 7 for a response to Holden’s comments.

A Seven spokesperson said on Monday: “Touchdowns are synonymous with iconic Idol performances. There’s no better way to celebrate the incredible talent we’ve unearthed this year while paying tribute to Idol’s rich history.”

It is believed producers contacted Holden about the possibility of a guest spot on the Idol reboot, but the show had a change in creative direction.

It is also believed producers dispute Holden’s comments about the Power Play concept being used for the show.