New nasty judge joins 'Australian Idol'

Australian Idol has a new nasty judge - Sydney breakfast radio host Kyle Sandilands.

Sandilands is the replacement of Ian "Dicko" Dickson, who has left the Ten network to host My Restaurant Rules for Channel Seven.

"We left no stone unturned and looked internationally to find our new judge," executive producer Stephen Tate told Aussie newspaper The Sunday Telegraph. "We didn't set out to recast Dicko."

Kyle is already making waves, after slamming last year's winner, Casey Donovan, and vowing that the new season will be an improvement on the previous "crap" series.

"I'm going to be looking for someone who is actually marketable," Sandilands explained. "Last year's Idol had nothing going for her."

He added, "I thought they were all s***. I think last year it all turned into crap. I just don't think the judges got it right.

"They eliminated the wrong people. I want to find a real true act – someone we can actually idolise. I want one of the Idol people to represent us on an international basis."

However, if Kyle doesn't tone down his behaviour on the set of the show, he may clash with fellow judge Marcia Hines.

She said, "It's great that we have a new judge – it will change the dynamics of the show. I'll clash with anyone when I feel their comments are unduly harsh. It's nicer to be nice."