20/08/2026
Morgan Evans Joins Australian Idol Judging Panel
Australian country music star Morgan Evans is heading to one of the biggest seats in Australian television, joining the judging panel of Australian Idol in 2027.
Channel Seven has confirmed the Newcastle-born singer-songwriter will replace outgoing judge Kyle Sandilands when Australian Idol returns next year.
Evans will join returning judges Marcia Hines and Amy Shark , bringing a distinctly country music perspective to the panel.
“I’m stoked to be joining Amy, Marcia and the Idol crew next year!” Evans said following the announcement.
For Australian country music fans, Evans' appointment is another significant sign of just how far the genre has moved into the mainstream.
Long before building an international career, Evans got his own major break through a talent competition, winning the Road to Tamworth competition in 2007.
Since then, his career has taken him from Newcastle to Nashville and stages around the world, with hits including “Kiss Somebody,” “Day Drunk” and “Diamonds.”
More recently, Evans has returned to Australia for a string of major performances, including two sold-out shows at the Sydney Opera House, while continuing his connection with Nashville and the legendary Grand Ole Opry.
Australian Idol viewers also got a preview earlier this year when Evans performed during the 2026 Grand Finale.
Now he'll be on the other side of the stage helping discover Australia's next generation of artists.
Evans says he isn't planning to try to replicate the famously outspoken judging style Sandilands brought to the show.
Instead, he'll bring his own experience as a songwriter, performer and artist who knows firsthand what it is like trying to turn an opportunity into a career.
It's also a pretty remarkable moment for Australian country music.
At a time when local country artists are attracting increasingly large audiences, festivals continue to grow and Australian acts are finding success internationally, one of the country's biggest country exports will now have a weekly prime-time platform in front of millions of Australians.
Morgan Evans joins Marcia Hines and Amy Shark when Australian Idol returns to Channel Seven and 7plus in 2027.
🇦🇺🤠 What do you think of the choice? Are you looking forward to seeing a country artist behind the Australian Idol judges' desk?
