THE sparks are set to fly on Australian Idol, with outspoken
and unrepentant radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands joining
the judging panel.
Sandilands was a vocal critic of the second series of
the show. He landed the coveted role after a four-month
search by producers to find a replacement for Ian 'Dicko'
Dickson, who quit Idol last year.
Music entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley was understood to have
been sounded out for the role but declined.
That left the door open for Channel Ten to sign Sandilands
to a three-year-deal.
The most popular unofficial Australian Idol fansite, Inside
Australian Idol, is back for the second series of
the country's most popular reality TV series Australian
Idol.
Stay tuned for the latest Idol news, exclusive gossip,
episode recaps and video and audio.
Ten believes the new program "..will be the biggest show of
the year"
Good Morning Australia's John Foreman has signed on as a Music
Director for the series. He has hosted the NSW Schools Spectacular
on ABC TV and also wrote 'The Flame' performed by Tina Arena
at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
The final episode will be filmed live from the Sydney Opera
House during the final ratings week in November.
Ten is understood to have already signed six lucrative sponsorship
deals for Australian Idol including- a clothing brand to outfit
the Idol contestants, fast food outlet McDonald's and the
cosmetics company L'Oréal.
Australian Idol is expected to cost Network Ten up to $10
million and is a joint production between Fremantle Media
subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company
19TV and Channel 10.
