Rob Mills says he would ‘love to host’ the Australian Idol reboot… and slams radio stations for doing a ‘horrible job’ at promoting homegrown talent
Rob Mills has put his hand up to host Australian Idol when it returns to television after 12 years, as part of Channel Seven’s 2022 prime time line-up.
The 38-year-old, who rose to fame after starring on the 2003 season, told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Monday that shows like Idol provide support to homegrown artists.
‘I’d love to host the show. I think any platform that showcases Australian talent is a great show,’ the former Neighbours star and musical theatre performer said.
Putting his hand up: Rob Mills (pictured in 2017) told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential on Monday that he would ‘love to host’ the Australian Idol reboot on Channel Seven in 2022
Rob went on to criticise Australian radio stations for their lacklustre support of local talent.
‘To be honest, I think our radio stations do a horrible job of promoting Australian artists – do you know what time they play Australian music? From midnight to 6am,’ he said.
In October, Angus Ross, Seven’s Director of Programming announced Australian Idol’s return: ‘Idol is the granddaddy of them all! The biggest show in the world comes to Seven in 2022, and we know Australians are going to love it.
‘We can’t wait to bring Idol back to Australian audiences in 2022, putting our prime time content line-up even further ahead of the competition.’
Passionate: ‘I’d love to host the show. I think any platform that showcases Australian talent is a great show,’ the former Neighbours star and musical theatre performer said
Criticism: Rob, who appeared on the 2003 season, criticised Australian radio stations for their lack of support: ‘I think our radio stations do a horrible job of promoting Australian artists – do you know what time they play Australian music? From midnight to 6am,’ he said
‘We’re home to the biggest franchises in television at Seven, and Idol is the biggest of them all. Bring on 2022!’ Mr Ross added.
Fremantle Asia Pacific’s CEO, Chris Oliver-Taylor, said: ‘Idol is renowned for launching global music artists. That’s what we’ve done here in Australia and across the world. We can’t wait to break the next superstar Idols on Seven in 2022.’
Australian Idol is a Fremantle and Eureka co-production for the Seven Network and will premiere on Channel Seven and 7plus in 2022.
Channel Seven’s 2022 line-up: In October, Angus Ross, Seven’s Director of Programming announced Australian Idol’s return: ‘Idol is the granddaddy of them all! The biggest show in the world comes to Seven in 2022, and we know Australians are going to love it’
Household names: The talent show is famous for discovering a string of top-selling artists, including Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Casey Donovan, Matt Corby and Ricki-Lee Coulter. Casey is pictured breaking down after being announced the winner in 2004
Hosts: It was hosted by Osher Günsberg (pictured at the Grand Final for the 2006 season) and James Mathison from 2003 to 2007, before Ricki-Lee Coulter joined them in 2008
Based on the global Pop Idol format – the most-watched TV franchise in history – Australian Idol aired from 2003 to 2009 on Channel Ten.
The talent show is famous for discovering a string of top-selling artists, including Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Casey Donovan, Matt Corby and Ricki-Lee Coulter.
It was hosted by Osher Günsberg and James Mathison from 2003 to 2007, before Ricki-Lee Coulter joined them in 2008.
The following year, James left the show and it was hosted by Osher and Ricki-Lee.
Exit: In 2009, James (pictured) left the show and it was hosted by Osher and Ricki-Lee