0/5

Australian Idol journey ends for Mark Holden

In conflicting reports today, Mark Holden has parted company with Australian Idol.

TEN today announced his decision to leave the judging panel of Australian Idol “after discussions this week highlighted his desire to focus on acting, radio and documentary production. Network Ten agreed to release Mark from his judging duties only after an agreement to remain with the network was reached.”

But news.com.au reports Holden was dropped by FremantleMedia in a bid to refresh the show. It claims TEN has rushed a press release after the news – scheduled to be announced on Thursday – broke to media prematurely this afternoon.

A Queensland radio station quizzed him about his exit from Idol, about to commence its sixth season.

“That’s a rumour you’ll have to follow up with Channel Ten,” Holden told Sunshine Coast station Hot 91.

“I gotta go – talk to me on Friday.”

Certainly the quote from FremantleMedia’s Mark Fennessy is brief in the extreme. It sounds like the sort of reference you get when you’re employer no longer sees eye to eye with you.

“We acknowledge the outstanding contribution Mark has made to Australian Idol over the past 5 years. We wish him continued success in the future,” he said.

Last year Holden bemoaned the return of judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson (both represented by Watercooler management) to media saying, “I am not loving the four judges,” Holden said. “I am all for formats being bent but, in this particular case, I think three judges are right.”

He also told police he was being harassed by aggrieved fans calling his home phone number.

Sounds like more to come on this one….

Press Release:

Mark Holden today announced his decision to leave the judging panel of Australian Idol after discussions this week highlighted his desire to focus on acting, radio and documentary production.

Network TEN agreed to release Mark from his judging duties only after an agreement to remain with the network was reached.

Mark Holden said, “Working on Idol has been an exceptional, challenging and gratifying experience. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved but it’s time for me to look at doing other things.

David Mott, TEN’s chief programming officer, thanked Mark for five exceptional years as a judge on Idol. “This decision was not made simply nor taken lightly by either of us. Mark has made a valuable contribution to Idol since it began in 2003 and we appreciate what he offered the franchise. He’s decided to leave Idol but not TEN, this relationship has a long way to go yet,” he said.

Mark Fennessy, FremantleMedia Australia CEO, says “We acknowledge the outstanding contribution Mark has made to Australian Idol over the past 5 years. We wish him continued success in the future.”

Additional source: news.com.au

9 Responses

  1. Seriouslt i australian idol is boring and soo many ads every time the show comes on and i don’t really like the judges why can’t the show have modern singers host the show and can the show be more fun boring sometimes those touchdowns went to the wrong people judges why do the people vote for nothing the money goes to no where can’t they give the raised money for a charity the singer chooses lame TV show.

  2. Sometimes Mark had valid points and sometimes not. He was very over the top on camera but let’s not forget his success not only as a singer but as a composer and producer. After now watching So you think you can dance, same network, same format, I find the dance show panel offers much better criticism than the Idol panel, the whole show takes it just a little more seriously. Now all that has to be done for both shows is to either let the judges decide the winners for the whole of the series or let people vote for no charge, this money grabbing format and the BS that goes on about you must vote to keep them in does the shows no good and if I have to listen about the judges/host/s on either show complain about how criminal it is that someone left because the public did not vote to save them, I will go mad….again !

  3. Can the entire show just make a quick exit right now! It hasn’t even been slightly entertaining for about three years now! It’s insulting and frustrating for it to still be on TV!

  4. Good! He was a total fame whore and said nothing helpful. When he tried to by helpful, it was just to make some noise!

    Plus, I read/heard that last year they asked him to do heaps more touch downs! Idiot! Ruined the whole show. It was better when someone deserved a touchdown, rather then getting one because they we just ‘good’!

    Will they go back to 3 judges or will it remain at 4 they search for a new judge?

  5. with the ghastly ratings this show got last year its going to need to be one almightly makeover that ten give this show…now just to get rid of Kyle and id consider watching…

Leave a Reply