Australian Idol Brings On Morgan Evans After Kyle Sandilands Exit
In another massive shake-up to the reality TV world, country singing hunk of spunk Morgan Evans will be joining Australian Idol‘s judging panel, replacing shock jock Kyle Sandilands.
Following an extremely tumultuous year, which saw him sacked from the Australian Radio Network (ARN), it appears that Sandilands has officially left the Aussie Idol judging panel, with Network Seven announcing the arrival of Morgan Evans for its 2027 season.
“I’ve learned a lot in my travels, some of it the fun way, some of it the other way, and look forward to sharing what I can. Can’t wait to hear what Australia’s got!” the singer said of his announcement.
While Sandilands won’t be returning, the network confirmed fan-favourite and icon Marcia Hines will be back in the line-up alongside award-winning Aussie artist Amy Shark.
“I’m stoked to be joining Amy, Marcia and the Idol crew next year! I reckon if you’ve got music in you, that’s something the world needs to hear, and I’ve enjoyed helping new artists find that since I was teaching guitar in Newcastle,” Evans added.
While Sandilands is known for his brutal delivery and blunt feedback, Evans has completely ruled out the role of meanie on the Aussie Idol team.
“I’m not going to be the mean guy. I have no interest in doing that for the sake of it,” Evan shared on Sunrise following the announcement.
“But at the same time, I think if I can say something that saves someone five years of working something out, I feel like that is the kindest thing I can do.”
Why did Kyle Sandilands quit Australian Idol?
Sandilands’ decision to leave the beloved singing competition had nothing to do with his smorgasbord of a situation with ARN and his brekkie show, which he hosted with Jackie O.
Instead, the shock jock confirmed he quit the show, claiming it was due to activist group Mad F*cking Witches.
“I spoke with Channel Seven this morning, and those activists have attacked the potential clients for Australian Idol or the clients from last year, and have caused a problem in Channel Seven’s sales team,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“So I’ve told Channel Seven this morning, just prior to speaking to you, that I’m standing down from Idol for the good of the brand to continue.”
Sandilands served as an Australian Idol judge during its OG run from 2005 to 2009; he then returned for the Channel 7 Revival from 2024 to 2026.
Just like his radio career, his time as an Idol judge was embroiled in controversy, with Australian sweetheart Jessica Mauboy claiming Sandilands made comments about her physical appearance.
In 2009, Sandilands was fired from Australian Idol for asking an extremely disturbing sexual question to a 14-year-old girl, who was attached to a lie detector, on his radio show.
Per an article from The Guardian, which was published at the time, the teenager’s mum asked if she was sexually active. The 14-year-old revealed she was raped at age 12.
“Right… and is that the only experience you’ve had?” Kyle asked before Jackie O stopped the show.
After the incident, the network confirmed Sandilands had been let go, thanking him for his “contribution” to Australian Idol at the time.
“But it has become increasingly clear that as Idol has remained a family-focused show, even more so this year with the 6.30 Sunday time slot — his radio persona has taken on a more controversial position over this period which is not in the interest of the show,” the statement read, per The Daily Mail.
