Australian Idol star Anthony Callea reveals his horror at judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson trying to out him as gay on live TV: 'He seemed more concerned about my sexuality than I was'

By Kinta Walsh-cotton For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Anthony Callea opened up about the horrific moment Ian 'Dicko' Dickson attempted to out the singer as gay on season two of Australia Idol in 2004.

Revealing all in his memoir Behind The Voice, which he released earlier this month, he claimed the controversial judge wanted him to come out on live TV.

The singer, 40, said Dicko, 60, 'seemed more concerned about my sexuality than I was' and tried different tactics to force him out of the closet 'as part of the show'. 

'One night, right after I'd finished my performance, the judges were giving their comments, and Dicko said something along the lines of that he saw my target audience as being ''grannies, girls and gays'', which I guess was his way of throwing the 'G' word out there (alongside some others),' Anthony wrote.

He went on to say Dicko 'didn't get what he wanted' despite his relentless pursuit to fuel the rumours which circulated at the time. 

Anthony Callea, 40, (pictured) opened up about the horrific moment Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, 60, attempted to out the singer as gay on season two of Australia Idol in 2004

Anthony Callea, 40, (pictured) opened up about the horrific moment Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, 60, attempted to out the singer as gay on season two of Australia Idol in 2004

Despite the uncomfortable situation he found himself in, Anthony said he received plenty of support from other contestants, judges and staff members on the show who helped him brush off Dicko's comments. 

Nevertheless, after almost two decades, the Australian Idol runner-up said he forgives Dicko for his actions and believes he had the 'right intentions'.  

'I get that times and social temperatures change, and in hindsight, it was not out of the ordinary behaviour from him,' he said. 

Revealing all in his memoir Behind The Voice , which he released earlier this month, he claimed the controversial judge wanted him to come out on live TV

Revealing all in his memoir Behind The Voice , which he released earlier this month, he claimed the controversial judge wanted him to come out on live TV

'He still gave me constructive critiques, which mostly I agree with, no matter how much they were driven by the theatre of the show,' he added.

In 2021, the former Australian Idol judge painted a slightly different picture when he spoke on the TV Reload podcast about Anthony's homosexuality during his stint on the singing competition. 

He claimed he told Anthony, who was just 21 at the time, he could help him hide his sexuality despite the hitmaker insisting he wasn't gay. 

The singer said Dicko (pictured) 'seemed more concerned about my sexuality than I was' and tried different tactics to force him out of the closet 'as part of the show'

The singer said Dicko (pictured) 'seemed more concerned about my sexuality than I was' and tried different tactics to force him out of the closet 'as part of the show'

'We all knew Anthony was gay and I remember saying to him, ''look, mate, we're going to be your record company and we can help you live the life you want and shag who you want and keep a public persona for your career if that's what you choose,'' Dicko said.

Dicko insisted he just wanted to 'reach out' and help Anthony, but admitted he should have let the music artist come out in his own time. 

Anthony confirmed his sexuality in 2007, three years after placing second to Casey Donovan on season two of Australian Idol. 

In 2014, he married actor Tim Campbell in New Zealand after seven years of dating. 

Nevertheless, after almost two decades, the Australian Idol runner-up said he forgives Dicko for his actions and believes he had the 'right intentions'. Both pictured with former host Osher Günsberg (centre right) and former judge Mark Holden (right)

Nevertheless, after almost two decades, the Australian Idol runner-up said he forgives Dicko for his actions and believes he had the 'right intentions'. Both pictured with former host Osher Günsberg (centre right) and former judge Mark Holden (right)

Most watched News videos