'Australian Idol' to audition oversees

Australian Idol is to hold auditions in London and LA in a bid to boost flagging ratings.

Two of the talent show's three judges will see Australians living overseas for the first time next month.

Around one million Australians live in the UK and US, more than in the states of the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania combined.

Makers Fremantle Media and Network Ten said they wanted to "tap into this fantastic and as yet unknown talent pool" in the sixth series, which airs in Australia in August.

Judge Kyle Sandilands will front the auditions in LA on April 13, while Ian "Dicko" Dickson will do the honours at the Cumberland Hotel in London on April 19.

The move follows the success of Perth-born Michael Johns, who is down to the last 11 on American Idol.

Australian Idol's fifth series saw its lowest ratings in the show's history.