Holden defends new 'Idol' judge

A former Australian Idol judge has leapt to the defence of replacement Jay Dee Springbett.

Mark Holden, who left the reality music show in 2007 to become a barrister, said that he believes Springbett will grow into the judging role more next year.

Holden told The Daily Telegraph: "I think Jay Dee will evolve. The first time you do something like that it's an absolute shock.

"No matter who you are, it's hard to deal with that the first year. If you get through the first year people are more accepting of you."

Springbett, who replaced axed panel member Kyle Sandilands, has been labelled "boring" and has been blamed for the show's poor ratings this year.

There have been recent rumours that the network wants to reinstate Sandilands onto the series.