What was Australian Idol?
Australian Idol was a televised singing competition on Network Ten that ran from 2003 to 2009, based on the British Pop Idol format. Viewers voted for their favourite singers each week.
The first season in 2003 was won by Guy Sebastian, with Shannon Noll as runner-up. Both became successful recording artists, and Sebastian's debut single, Angels Brought Me Here, was a number one hit.
Other finalists who found fame include Jessica Mauboy, runner-up in 2006, and Anthony Callea, whose cover of The Prayer topped the charts.
Revival
The show was revived on the Seven Network in 2023 with new judges and hosts, including Kyle Sandilands, Meghan Trainor, Harry Connick Jr. and Amy Shark in its first revived season.
Australian Idol helped launch many careers and set the template for later singing shows. Contestants performed live each week, and the voting results were revealed in tense elimination episodes.
Grand finals were held in front of large crowds at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, making them major television events. The show also drew criticism over its judges' harsh comments, a common feature of the format.
Did You Know?
Guy Sebastian later represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015.