EXCLUSIVE: Ricki-Lee Coulter is ‘in talks to be a judge on Channel Seven’s Australian Idol reboot and has been offered an $80,000 salary’
She launched her career on Australian Idol back in 2004.
And if rumours are to be believed, Ricki-Lee Coulter could be returning to the franchise as a judge when it’s rebooted on Channel Seven in 2022.
The 35-year-old singer is said to be ‘in talks’ to appear on the new series and has apparently been offered $80,000 to sit on the panel.
Rumours: Ricki-Lee Coulter (pictured) is ‘in talks to be a judge on Channel Seven’s Australian Idol reboot and has been offered an $80,000 salary’
A source said: ‘Producers have been in contact with former stand-out contestants to bring some of that nostalgia factor.
‘Ricki-Lee has been offered $80,000 to appear, but is yet to sign any paperwork.’
The insider added that Seven wants an all-Australian panel to save money, and they’ll use the remaining budget to hire an international star for The Voice next year.
Offer: Daily Mail Australia understands producers have been in contact with former stand-out contestants, including Ricki-Lee. Australian Idol will return on Channel Seven in 2022
While a representative for Ricki-Lee said there was ‘no truth to the claims’, the singer does have strong ties to the show.
Not only was she a contestant, she also hosted it alongside Osher Günsberg and James Mathison in 2008.
The following year, James left the show and it was fronted by Osher and Ricki-Lee.
Strong ties: Not only was Ricki-Lee a contestant Australian Idol, she also hosted it alongside Osher Günsberg (right) and James Mathison (left) in 2008. The following year, James left the show and it was fronted by Osher and Ricki-Lee. Pictured on June 4, 2005, in Sydney
The claims come just weeks after it was rumoured Ricki-Lee and Tones and I had signed on as replacement coaches for The Voice.
Ricki-Lee will also be fronting Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent next year.
Australian Idol’s return to television was announced at Channel Seven’s Upfronts last Wednesday.
In demand: The claims come just weeks after it was rumoured Ricki-Lee and Tones and I had signed on as replacement coaches for The Voice. Ricki-Lee will also be fronting Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent next year. Pictured on November 23, 2015, in Melbourne
Angus Ross, Seven’s Director of Programming, said: ‘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.’
‘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.
Based on the global Pop Idol format – the most-watched TV franchise in history – Australian Idol aired from 2003 to 2009 on Channel 10.
Double duties? Seven also announced the return of Australia’s Got Talent at its Upfronts last week. The show will be hosted by Ricki-Lee in 2021; the judging panel has yet to be announced