Australian Idol: Is The Show Returning?

is australian idol coming back

Australian Idol is indeed coming back! The beloved singing competition is returning for its ninth season in 2025, following its reboot in 2023. The show's return was confirmed by Channel Seven, with a premiere date set for Sunday, 2 February 2025. The judging panel will include pop legend Marcia Hines, TV Week Logie Award winner Amy Shark, and radio host Kyle Sandilands. The hosts will be Ricki-Lee Coulter, an Australian Idol alumna, and Scott Tweedie. The season has been described as the toughest and most surprising yet, with only 30 Golden Tickets available during the auditions.

Characteristics Values
Year of Return 2025
Date of Premiere Sunday, 2 February, at 7 pm AEDT
Season Ninth season
Judges Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands, and Marcia Hines
Hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie
Number of Golden Tickets 30

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Australian Idol 2025: Everything we know so far

Australian Idol is returning to screens in 2025 for its third season since it was rebooted in 2023. The ninth season in the franchise will premiere on Sunday, 2 February, at 7 pm AEDT on Seven and 7plus.

The judging panel will include pop legend Marcia Hines, TV WEEK Logie Award winner Amy Shark, and radio host Kyle Sandilands. Hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie will also be back.

In a teaser for the new season, Coulter and Tweedie are seen walking down a hallway in white medical coats. "If you have any of these symptoms," Tweedie says, with Coulter adding, "you may have Idol fever."

In the latest promo video, Hines is in a doctor’s office while Shark and Sandilands wait nervously outside. When it’s confirmed that Hines has “the fever”, she starts dancing to a funked-up, disco house version of her ’70s hit 'I’ve Got The Music In Me', produced by ARIA-Award-winning DJ and producer Sgt Slick.

The forthcoming season has been described as “the toughest and most surprising” yet. This year, there will only be 30 Golden Tickets up for grabs during the auditions round.

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Australian Idol: Meet the judges

Australian Idol is returning for its third season since it was rebooted in 2023, with a stellar panel of judges. The panel will consist of pop legend Marcia Hines, TV Week Logie Award winner and singer Amy Shark, and radio host Kyle Sandilands.

Marcia Hines, a singer who became famous in the 1970s with hits like "You and I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself", has had a long career in pop, soul, and disco. She has been a judge on Australian Idol since its inception in 2003.

Amy Shark, who has collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, and Travis Barker, joined the judging panel in 2023.

Kyle Sandilands, an Australian radio host, is best known for co-hosting The Kyle & Jackie O Show. He gained fame for his controversial, unfiltered style, which has sparked numerous headlines worldwide. He has been a judge on Australian Idol since 2005, and has also dabbled in television production and music management.

The ninth season of Australian Idol will feature a world-first format change, with only 30 Golden Tickets available during the auditions. The Top 30 contestants will face a challenging week of challenges to reach the Top 21, where they will undergo a transformation. The competition will then be narrowed down to the Top 12.

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Australian Idol: The hosts

Australian Idol is returning for its third season since it was rebooted in 2023. The ninth season of the franchise premiered on Sunday, 2 February 2025. The show first aired in July 2003 and ended its initial run in November 2009.

The show has had several hosts over the years. The series was again hosted by Andrew G and James Mathison. When James Mathison left the show in 2009, Andrew G continued hosting, this time with Ricki-Lee Coulter as co-host. Ricki-Lee Coulter, who was discovered on Australian Idol back in 2004, and Scott Tweedie were announced as the new hosts in 2022. They returned to host the singing competition in 2025.

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Australian Idol: The format

Australian Idol is a beloved singing competition that first aired in 2003 and was rebooted in 2023. The ninth season of the show premiered in February 2025. The show follows a typical talent competition format, with a few unique twists and variations.

The Auditions

The first stage of the competition is the audition process, where contestants perform in front of the judges, usually in a large venue or arena. In some cases, a single judge may visit a remote location to audition contestants by themselves. Contestants are not guaranteed a "golden ticket" to the next round, even if they receive two or three "yes" votes from the judges. Instead, they are sent to a holding area, and the judges later decide on the final contestants who make it through to the Top 30.

The Challenges

The Top 30 contestants must then survive a week of challenges set by the judges. Each contestant sings a solo song in front of a live audience, and the judges decide who progresses to the next round. This continues until the Top 12 are selected. The judges also have a ''FastPass'' or 'Golden Buzzer' which they can use to send one contestant directly to the Top 12.

The Live Performances

During each round of the live performances, contestants sing songs based on a given theme. After all the contestants have performed, the judges choose one contestant to advance to the next stage. The public then votes for their favourite singers, and the contestants with the fewest votes sing again in pairs. The singer with the lowest number of votes in each pair is eliminated.

The Grand Finale

In the final rounds, the remaining contestants perform, and the public votes for their favourite. The results are announced, and one contestant is eliminated, with the other progressing to the Grand Finale. In the Grand Finale, the winner of Australian Idol is crowned, receiving a cash prize and a recording contract.

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Australian Idol: Previous winners

Australian Idol has crowned nine winners since its premiere in 2003. The first winner was Guy Sebastian, who has gone on to become one of the country's most successful music artists, with multiple ARIA awards and six number-one singles. Shannon Noll, the runner-up in the first season, has also enjoyed a successful music career.

Casey Donovan, the second winner of Australian Idol, made history as the youngest winner at just 16 years old. She has since transitioned into musical theatre, starring in productions like Chicago and We Will Rock You.

Other notable winners include Kate DeAraugo, who was the third winner in 2005, and Damien Leith, who took home the title in season four. Kate DeAraugo found success with the girl group Young Divas and has also become a mental health advocate. Damien Leith has released multiple albums, authored novels, and hosted radio shows. He is known for his distinctive voice and heartfelt ballads.

The final winner before the show's hiatus was Stan Walker in 2009. Stan has had a successful career in both music and film, releasing multiple albums and starring in movies like Hunt for the Wilderpeople. He is also an advocate for Indigenous rights in New Zealand.

After a 14-year break, Australian Idol returned in 2023 with Royston Sagigi-Baira, also known as Royston Noell, taking the crown. Dylan Wright was crowned the ninth winner of Australian Idol in 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Australian Idol is returning for its third season since it was rebooted in 2023.

The ninth season of Australian Idol will premiere on Sunday, 2 February 2025, at 7 pm AEDT.

The judging panel includes pop legend Marcia Hines, TV WEEK Logie Award winner Amy Shark, and radio host Kyle Sandilands.

ARIA Award-nominee Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie will be hosting the show.

Country singer Dylan Wright was the winner of the eighth season of Australian Idol in 2024.

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