Kyle Sandilands quits Australian Idol as activists pressure advertisers
Updated . First published at
Kyle Sandilands has quit his role as judge on Australian Idol, telling the Seven Network on Friday he wanted to protect the show from a potential activist campaign by the group the Mad F---ing Witches.
The reality show aired its 11th season finale in April. Sydney Morning Herald reported Sandilands, 55, said he will not be renewing his one-year contract in September.
Kyle Sandilands has quit Australian Idol. Channel 7
“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 told 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,” he said.
Sandilands has been part of the singing show’s judging panel for a total of eight years.
He established himself as a blunt critic during the show’s original run on Network Ten from 2005 to 2009.
Sandilands was part of the show’s reboot on Network Seven in 2023, where he appeared alongside fellow judges Marcia Hines and Amy Shark until the end of 2025. There, he balanced his sharp criticisms with more mentorship toward the contestants.
It’s likely the former radio shock jock is focusing his attention on his own highly-anticipated project: Kyle Sandilands Live
Kyle Sandilands Live will launch on August 10 as a standalone, paid streaming and radio-style breakfast program.
Audiences will have to subscribe to listen to the entire show, and it will cost them $99 per year.
It will come after an already-released four-part docuseries called At Home with Kyle, two episodes of which have already aired under the paid subscription.
Kyle Sandilands Live’s team has been revealed as manager Bruno Bouchet shared a rare photo. Instagram/@brunobbouchet
Sandilands said he was keen to address “everything that has happened since February 20″, the date of his explosive on-air disagreement with former co-host Henderson that blew up The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Sandilands eventually settled with his previous employer ARN for $12 million over the termination of his reported $100 million contract.
Henderson also launched a lawsuit against her former employer claiming compensation of at least $82.25 million and alleging that her termination was against the Fair Work Act.
It was revealed she will still proceed with the lawsuit, despite her former co-host settling.
nine.com.au has contacted Network Seven and a representative of Kyle Sandilands for further comment.
