Australian Idol's New Judge Has Been Exposed By Ricki-Lee Coulter And The Kyle Sandilands Replacement Will Stun You

‘They’re going to bring a new flavour.’

Has Ricki-Lee Coulter just confirmed that a new Australian Idol judge is already locked in?

The Australian Idol host and former contestant walked the red carpet at the 66th Annual TV WEEK Logie Awards, where she teased that the mystery replacement for Kyle Sandilands could already be decided.

“I’ve heard lots of rumours,” the 40-year-old tells TV WEEK. “What I will say is that everybody will be pleased if the rumours I’m hearing are true.”

Last week, Kyle announced he would be leaving Australian Idol amid a pressure campaign from feminist activist group Mad F***ing Witches.

Ricki-Lee Coulter has dropped a major hint about the new Australian Idol judge. *(Credit: Getty)*

“You’re never going to be able to replace Kyle,” Ricki-Lee says. “He really is one in a million, we love him so much, he’s part of the Idol family.”

Since Kyle’s exit, rumours have been swirling that former judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson could return to the panel.

While Ricki-Lee wouldn’t confirm whether Dicko is the mystery replacement, she did tease that whoever joins the show will bring something fresh.

“I’m really excited for the next season of Idol,” she gushes. “And what the new judge is going to bring, the new flavour and fun that this person is going to bring is really exciting.”

The 2026 series of Idol wrapped up in April, with the 2027 series expected to premiere in late January or February.

While Amy Shark and Marcia Hines will be back on the judging panel, Kyle won’t be returning to the series.

After more than nine years on the show, Kyle announced on July 31 that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract in September for the 2027 series.

Australian Idol judges Kyle Sandilands Marcia Hines Amy Shark — Rumours are swirling about who will replace Kyle Sandilands on the panel. *(Credit: Channel Seven)*

In a statement, he confirmed that he was stepping down amid activists putting pressure on advertisers.

“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,” 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.”

Kyle was a judge on the original Idol franchise for five years, and returned for the show’s reboot in 2023, serving on the panel ever since.