Wow, we knew the Idol franchise was going to require a decent revamp in order to draw in the punters this year, but we weren't expecting to find out that Mark Holden has been given the flick from the show!

According to the Daily Telegraph -

From touchdown to comedown - outspoken personality Mark Holden has been culled from the Australian Idol judging panel in an attempt to reinvigorate the tired format of the Channel Ten talent quest.

It is understood the network, together with Australian Idol production company Fremantle Media, reached the decision this week and will rush out a press release after the news - scheduled to be announced on Thursday - broke to media prematurely this afternoon.

Holden's departure is a personal touchdown for fellow Idol judges Kyle Sandilands and Ian "Dicko" Dickson, both considered to bring more weight to the program despite not appearing on Idol for consecutive years since its 2003 conception.

2day FM shock jock Kyle Sandilands replaced Dickson on the judging panel in 2005, but the pommy personality's return to the series last year meant there were four judges - a concept which the dwindling ratings proved didn't work.

Once considered to be Channel Ten's showpiece, the constant bitching and petty sledging among judges - particularly Holden and Dicko - are believed to have contributed to diminished ratings for the TV talent contest in 2007.

What's the opposite of 'TOUCHDOWN!'?

Speaking of which, we will be glad to wave goodbye to that ridiculous catchphrase, which somehow morphed from A Classic Example Of Mark Holden's Inability To Say Anything Sensible Most Of The Time to, unbelievably, A Sought After Sign Of Approval And Credibility.

It's also nice to know that after two full seasons of occasionally being the only one making any sense, despite the fact his musical expertise is pretty much limited to being able to read the Austereo playlist and occasionally throwing money at his girlfriend's musical career, Kyle Sandilands will at last be able to take over the role of Idiot Judge Whose Opinions Are Irrelevant on a full time basis.

Farewell, Mark Holden. Allow us to send you off with some appropriately Holden-esque parting words.

Badda bing bing jabbawocky nooogaaaaa sumpin sumpin shizzy bizzy ding dong.

Tags: au | australian idol | firings | mark holden