IAC's Ian 'Dicko' Dickson reveals he called Mark Holden to slam the Australian Idol reboot's 'f**ked' use of the iconic 'touchdown' catchphrase - but insists he isn't bitter over the show
Ian 'Dicko' Dickson unleashed on the lukewarm reboot of Australian Idol, revealing he even called former judge Mark Holden to rant about it.
The I'm A Celebrity star, 60, who was once on the judging panel for the singing competition, slammed the revamped show for using the iconic 'touchdown' catchphrase.
He said he called up Mark, 68, who coined the iconic line, and said he was 'deeply saddened' by the 'f**ked' decision, reported news.com.au on Friday.
'I rang Mark up and I went, "Man, that's f**ked." Why would you do that?' he said.
'Because Mark was intuitive enough to take something as dumb as that, and weave it into a meaningful piece of entertainment currency.'
![Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, 60, (pictured) unleashed on the lukewarm reboot of Australian Idol, revealing he even called former judge Mark Holden, 68, to rant about it](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/21/06/70078241-11997865-Ian_Dicko_Dickson_60_pictured_unleashed_on_the_lukewarm_reboot_o-a-55_1682056482547.jpg)
Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, 60, (pictured) unleashed on the lukewarm reboot of Australian Idol, revealing he even called former judge Mark Holden, 68, to rant about it
Dicko went on to say Mark's use of the memorable 'touchdown' phrase was 'genius' but the Seven Network reboot made it 'look so poor'.
Despite his numerous complaints about the competition's subpar 'production values' and lackluster voices, Dicko insisted he isn't bitter about not being invited back.
When asked if he was just angry over being snubbed as a return judge alongside Mark and Marcia Hines, he scoffed and said it would be ridiculous to return.
![The I'm A Celebrity star who was once on the judging panel for the singing competition, slammed the revamped show for using the 'touchdown' catchphrase](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/21/06/70077423-11997865-The_I_m_A_Celebrity_star_who_was_once_on_the_judging_panel_for_t-a-56_1682056482548.jpg)
The I'm A Celebrity star who was once on the judging panel for the singing competition, slammed the revamped show for using the 'touchdown' catchphrase
'Let's meet our judging panel: Two 70-year-olds – one of whom is deeply confused – and a bitter and twisted 60-year-old. Who's going to enjoy that?' he said.
Mark also admitted to being 'disappointed' by Australian Idol's use of his catchphrase, which he once said 'erupted' out of him when a singer displayed exceptional talent.
The 68-year-old told the Herald Sun on Thursday he's 'hurt' Channel Seven ignored him and used the line without his permission, twisting the original concept into something else.
New judges Amy Shark, Kyle Sandilands, Harry Connick Jr and Meghan Trainor each had a 'touchdown' to be used on a contestant, which fast tracked the singer to the top 12.
![He said he called up Mark (left) who coined the iconic line, and said he was 'deeply saddened' by the 'f**ked' decision, reported news.com.au on Friday. Pictured together in 2004](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/21/06/70077417-11997865-He_said_he_called_up_Mark_left_who_coined_the_iconic_line_and_sa-a-57_1682056483076.jpg)
He said he called up Mark (left) who coined the iconic line, and said he was 'deeply saddened' by the 'f**ked' decision, reported news.com.au on Friday. Pictured together in 2004
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