“I’ve told Channel Seven this morning,” says Idol judge, who quits to avoid advertiser boycott caused by activist group.
Kyle Sandilands has quit Australian Idol, a decision which he has linked to advertiser activist group Mad F***ing 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 has caused a problem in Channel Seven’s sales team,” Sandilands has told The Age.
“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,” he said.
It follows from Sandilands radio show with Jackie O imploding and leading to court action.
Sandilands was part of the show’s relaunch in 2023, and has featured alongside Marcia Hines and Amy Shark.
The network had previously indicated it would stand by Sandilands amid chatter of boycott campaigns.
The bombshell falls late in the Idol schedule given last year’s Top 30 was locked down by mid October.
But Seven is yet to confirm if Idol will screen in Q1, and will now face challenges to secure top-shelf talent whose diaries are not heavily booked.