Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.
Longtime fans of Australian Idol have threatened to boycott the show over news Kyle Sandilands will return to the judging panel in the 2023 reboot, despite being dumped from the show in 2009.
On Wednesday Channel Seven announced Kyle would be joining a new line-up of Idol judges, including local star Amy Shark and global stars Harry Connick Jr and Meghan Trainor.
Though many fans were excited by the news, a vocal group slammed the network for bringing Kyle back after he was dramatically dumped from Idol in 2009.
Kyle was dramatically dumped from Idol in 2009.
(Image: Getty)For those who had forgotten, the radio shock jock previously judged on the singing competition in the late 2000s, serving on the panel for seasons four, five and six.
However, Network 10, which was broadcasting the show at the time, sacked him over his involvement in a shock radio stunt where a 12-year-old girl revealed she had been sexually assaulted.
He incited mass outrage when he asked the girl “Is that the only sexual experience you’ve had?” during a lie-detector segment on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Back then the show was still broadcast on 2Day FM, but it was taken off the air for a period of time after the incident occurred.
WATCH: Kyle Sandilands’ cruel prank reduces Jackie O to tears
While the scandal eventually died down and Kyle returned to radio, he was never invited back to the Australian Idol judging panel – until now.
Fans are saying Channel Seven’s decision to rehire the controversial star “tone-deaf” and accusing Kyle of “racism, misogyny and homophobia”.
“Was looking forward to the reboot, but with the announcement of Kyle as a judge will be giving the show a big miss,” one wrote on Facebook.
“Did Seven forget Kyle was already FIRED from this show for his vile words to a little girl who survived rape? Definitely not watching.”
Fans are saying Channel Seven’s decision to rehire the controversial star “tone-deaf” and accusing Kyle of “racism, misogyny and homophobia”.
(Image: Instagram)Others slammed the new line-up’s lack of diversity, as all the judges and hosts are white.
“Where is the diversity?” asked former ABC News reporter Mark Kearney.
“The OG Australian Idol had at the heart of its panel Marcia Hines. This one has … a foul shock jock with a history of racism, misogyny and homophobia? Yucky.”
There has been growing debate about diversity in the Australian showbiz industry, with advocates calling for more multicultural casting in the 2020s.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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