Ian Dickson: 'You can call me Dicko'

Ian Dickson has revealed that he doesn't mind his nickname.

The television star, who is currently hosting new Australian TV show Can of Worms, said that he doesn't know why people started the rumour that he hated being called "Dicko".

Dickson told The Daily Telegraph: "I really don't know where that came from, honestly, and it makes me laugh. I'm sure that story was designed to make me look like a bit of a w**ker, and I don't need any journalist's help for that.

"There's only one person in the world that calls me Ian and that's my wife when she's really p*ssed off, so if everyone starts calling me Ian, I'll be a nervous wreck. It's Dicko. It's always been Dicko and always will be Dicko."

Dickson also revealed that he has enjoyed filming Can of Worms because it allows members of the public to put sensitive questions to Aussie stars, saying: "Celebrities have become gun shy when it comes to their opinions... because of political correctness.

"Everyone's completely tongue-tied in every situation, worried they're going to put their foot in it for fear of consequence so as a result, opinions and forthright strong opinions are a dying breed I'm afraid."

Dickson further added that he wants to "shut up" and listen to other people's thoughts on the show as "the Australian public have had [his] opinion for eight years" from when he was a judge on Australian Idol.

When Can of Worms was announced last year, Channel Ten's chief programming officer David Mott said that the show would be "one of the most talked about and debated shows of 2011" and described it as "fresh" and "bold".

Can of Worms premieres on Monday at 8.30pm on Channel Ten.