Who will sing now? Nine’s brutal Carols by Candlelight snub

This year’s festive event will look a little different thanks to a selection of fan favourite singers allegedly ‘banned’ from gracing the stage.

Along with a cheeky visit from Santa, any rendition of a Christmas ballad by Marina Prior, and Anthony Callea strutting his stuff on stage like it’s the Met Gala, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll see a finalist (or two, or three) from reality shows like Australian Idol and The Voice performonChannel 9’s Carols By Candlelight.

Well, not anymore, carollers.

Back for more – David Campbell and Sarah Abo will be hosting Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight 2025. Picture: Supplied

According to recent reports, the network has allegedly issued an unofficial “ban” preventing anyone from either TV show from appearing at its carols event, as both programs are now produced by rival broadcaster Channel 7.

Despite it being somewhat of a tradition during past events, according to Daily Mail, The Voice 2025 winner Alyssa Delpopolo and Australian Idol 2025 winner Marshall Hamburger have not been invited to participate in the annual event.

Australian Idol’s Guy Sebastian was invited to perform following his win in the first series of the reality show. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

It’s a move that has been deemed petty and unnecessary by some industry types.

While they remained unnamed, a former Idol judge told the publication that the move is disappointing and that any rivalries between TV networks should be left at the door for the sake of giving these upcoming local stars a moment to shine – and to spread holiday cheer.

“When Idol started on Network Ten, performing at Carols was the moment these kids stopped being contestants and became artists,” the judge said.

“It was a huge platform. To see that opportunity withheld now is disappointing for the talent coming through.”

It is believed the same alleged ban applies to The Voice judges Mel C, Richard Marx, Ronan Keating and Kate Miller-Heidke due to possible clauses in their contracts about appearing on rival networks.

Artists who shot to fame on both shows in previous years, such as Paulini Curuenavuli, Dami Im, and Casey Donovan have been invited to perform.

The Voice 2025 winner Alyssa Delpopolo won’t be performing at Carols By Candlelight. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Idol 2025 winner Marshall Hamburger also won’t be performing at the event hosted by Channel 9. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Meanwhile, for fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their current winners sing carols, Alyssa and Marshall have been confirmed to be joining the star-studded line up over at Channel 7’s event, Carols In The Domain, held in Sydney on December 20th.

Alyssa is also set to perform the week prior for Adelaide’s Carols By Candlelight on December 13th.

Carols By Candlelight is held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Christmas Eve every year, supporting charitable organisation Vision Australia.

It will be hosted by familiar duo Today Extra’s David Campbell and Today’s Sarah Abo.