Fans calling for return of Kyle Sandilands to Australian Idol
FANS are calling for bad boy Kyle Sandilands to return to Australian Idol, branding his replacement, Jay Dee Springbett, a boring no-name.
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FANS are calling for bad boy Kyle Sandilands to return to Australian Idol, branding his replacement, Jay Dee Springbett, a boring no-name.
The Sony talent scout joined Marcia Hines and Ian "Dicko" Dickson on Idol's the judging panel after Sandilands was axed for a poor-taste radio stunt on Sydney radio 2Day FM.
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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.
More than 21,200 people have joined the "Bring Kyle Sandilands Back" Facebook group, compared with 500-odd in 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.
"It is her 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 said Idol had been more damaged by the loss of Sandilands than the controversy.
"Kyle is a friend. I like him," he 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, but people like stability."
Holden said Springbett was "a lovely chap" but Idol now lacked humour.
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."
Sandilands said he was flattered by the "overwhelming support" for his return.
A Channel 10 spokeswoman said of the prospect of Sandilands returning: "Don't be ridiculous."