Iconic star-maker series Australian Idol is ready to unearth a new generation of Australian artists when it premieres Monday, 30 January on Channel 7 and 7plus.

Kyle Sandilands joins me to discuss his return to the series. 

Kyle Sandilands is an Australian radio host and television personality. He is currently the co-host, with Jackie O, of the weekday morning radio program The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Sydney's radio station KIIS 106.5.

From 2005 to 2009, and again in 2023, Sandilands served as a judge on Australian Idol.

Iconic star-maker series Australian Idol is ready to unearth a new generation of Australian artists when it premieres Monday, 30 January on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Kyle Sandilands joins me to discuss his return to the series. 
Kyle Sandilands is an Australian radio host and television personality. He is currently the co-host, with Jackie O, of the weekday morning radio program The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Sydney's radio station KIIS 106.5.
From 2005 to 2009, and again in 2023, Sandilands served as a judge on Australian Idol.

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Behind the scenes with the biggest players in Television

TV RELOAD

Kyle Sandilands: Australian Idol - Judge

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3ef1f0c6-39e2-4ead-a566-af9700555aa5/transcript

Fresh out of the Big Brother Australia 2025 house, Coco reflects on the whirlwind journey that saw her crowned the winner after a fast, emotionally charged 30-day sprint. Still processing the magnitude of it all, Coco opens up about the shock of winning, the pressure of the finale and the moment that truly broke Australia being reunited with her three children on live television.

In this raw and deeply personal chat, Coco talks about leaving her kids behind to take the biggest gamble of her life, the guilt that followed and why she believes that leap ultimately changed her family’s future forever. She explains why her win was never about strategy but about standing tall for parents everywhere who feel scared to choose themselves.

We dive into her slow-burn connection with Bruce, why it developed so naturally inside the pressure-cooker of the house and whether she genuinely sees a future for the pair outside the Big Brother bubble. Coco also responds to the critics who labelled her relationship and even her motherhood as “gameplay”, firmly shutting down the so-called “single mum card” narrative once and for all.

Coco also reveals there was a genuine sliding doors moment during the Suzuki finale temptation where she almost stood up. A decision that would have cost her the win. She explains why, in that moment, all she truly wanted was to go home and be with her children.

Beyond the romance and reward, Coco opens up about the complicated dynamics with Holly, including the fallout from Holly’s savage exit message and what really happened at the reunion. She also reveals which housemates she’ll stay closest to in the real world, who surprised her the most and who she absolutely could never live with again.

The episode wraps with Coco reflecting on how winning has already shifted her mindset as a parent, the relief of financial security, her hopes for the future and why this Christmas will be the most meaningful one her family has ever had.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

2:10 – The moment she won
Coco relives the shock of being announced the winner, why it still hasn’t fully sunk in and the emotional chaos that followed the live finale.

3:25 – The reunion that broke Australia
Coco opens up about seeing her three kids on stage, the heartbreak of having to let them go again after just 20 minutes and the promise she made that she was finally coming home for good.

5:10 – Leaving her kids to chase a dream
Why entering the house was the hardest decision of her life, the guilt she carried and why she still believes it was the right choice.

6:30 – The slow-burn with Bruce
How their relationship developed unexpectedly, why it intensified so quickly in confinement and whether Coco can actually see a future with him in the real world.

8:05 – Was the romance strategy?
Coco shuts down claims that her connection with Bruce was gameplay and explains why she barely had time to strategise anything inside the house.

9:20 – Two women in the finale
Coco reflects on sharing the final moment with Emily, the emotional bathroom break before the announcement and why that night meant more than just a win.

10:45 – Who she’s staying in touch with
The three housemates Coco knows will remain in her life long after the cameras stopped rolling.

11:35 – Muting negativity & post-show boundaries
Why Coco is choosing peace over conflict now that she’s out of the house.

12:40 – Holly’s explosive exit message
Coco addresses Holly’s savage farewell, their lack of reunion time and why she believes their values simply don’t align.

13:55 – The Suzuki Jimny sliding doors moment
Why Coco almost stood up for the car, how close she came to losing it all and why her kids were the only thing that stopped her.

15:10 – The ‘single mum card’ backlash
Coco explains why motherhood was never a strategy, what she was really standing for and why she wouldn’t change a single thing.

16:30 – The prize money & her future
What the $135,000 means for her kids, why presence matters more than purchases and why this Christmas will be completely different.

17:35 – Rapid fire truths
The most chaotic housemate, the most underrated, the smartest in the house and who she could never live with again.

18:45 – The text that still hasn’t been sent
Why Coco still doesn’t have Bruce’s number and what her first message should be.

Fresh out of the Big Brother Australia 2025 house, Coco reflects on the whirlwind journey that saw her crowned the winner after a fast, emotionally charged 30-day sprint. Still processing the magnitude of it all, Coco opens up about the shock of winning, the pressure of the finale and the moment that truly broke Australia being reunited with her three children on live television.
In this raw and deeply personal chat, Coco talks about leaving her kids behind to take the biggest gamble of her life, the guilt that followed and why she believes that leap ultimately changed her family&rsquo;s future forever. She explains why her win was never about strategy but about standing tall for parents everywhere who feel scared to choose themselves.
We dive into her slow-burn connection with Bruce, why it developed so naturally inside the pressure-cooker of the house and whether she genuinely sees a future for the pair outside the Big Brother bubble. Coco also responds to the critics who labelled her relationship and even her motherhood as &ldquo;gameplay&rdquo;, firmly shutting down the so-called &ldquo;single mum card&rdquo; narrative once and for all.
Coco also reveals there was a genuine sliding doors moment during the Suzuki finale temptation where she almost stood up. A decision that would have cost her the win. She explains why, in that moment, all she truly wanted was to go home and be with her children.
Beyond the romance and reward, Coco opens up about the complicated dynamics with Holly, including the fallout from Holly&rsquo;s savage exit message and what really happened at the reunion. She also reveals which housemates she&rsquo;ll stay closest to in the real world, who surprised her the most and who she absolutely could never live with again.
The episode wraps with Coco reflecting on how winning has already shifted her mindset as a parent, the relief of financial security, her hopes for the future and why this Christmas will be the most meaningful one her family has ever had.
Timestamps &amp; Key Takeaways
2:10 &ndash; The moment she won Coco relives the shock of being announced the winner, why it still hasn&rsquo;t fully sunk in and the emotional chaos that followed the live finale.
3:25 &ndash; The reunion that broke Australia Coco opens up about seeing her three kids on stage, the heartbreak of having to let them go again after just 20 minutes and the promise she made that she was finally coming home for good.
5:10 &ndash; Leaving her kids to chase a dream Why entering the house was the hardest decision of her life, the guilt she carried and why she still believes it was the right choice.
6:30 &ndash; The slow-burn with Bruce How their relationship developed unexpectedly, why it intensified so quickly in confinement and whether Coco can actually see a future with him in the real world.
8:05 &ndash; Was the romance strategy? Coco shuts down claims that her connection with Bruce was gameplay and explains why she barely had time to strategise anything inside the house.
9:20 &ndash; Two women in the finale Coco reflects on sharing the final moment with Emily, the emotional bathroom break before the announcement and why that night meant more than just a win.
10:45 &ndash; Who she&rsquo;s staying in touch with The three housemates Coco knows will remain in her life long after the cameras stopped rolling.
11:35 &ndash; Muting negativity &amp; post-show boundaries Why Coco is choosing peace over conflict now that she&rsquo;s out of the house.
12:40 &ndash; Holly&rsquo;s explosive exit message Coco addresses Holly&rsquo;s savage farewell, their lack of reunion time and why she believes their values simply don&rsquo;t align.
13:55 &ndash; The Suzuki Jimny sliding doors moment Why Coco almost stood up for the car, how close she came to losing it all and why her kids were the only thing that stopped her.
15:10 &ndash; The &lsquo;single mum card&rsquo; backlash Coco explains why motherhood was never a strategy, what she was really standing for and why she wouldn&rsquo;t change a single thing.
16:30 &ndash; The prize money &amp; her future What the $135,000 means for her kids, why presence matters more than purchases and why this Christmas will be completely different.
17:35 &ndash; Rapid fire truths The most chaotic housemate, the most underrated, the smartest in the house and who she could never live with again.
18:45 &ndash; The text that still hasn&rsquo;t been sent Why Coco still doesn&rsquo;t have Bruce&rsquo;s number and what her first message should be.

BIG BROTHER'S WINNER COCO POST GAME RETROSPECTIVE

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/6acf8a1f-cca5-4518-961d-b3af001c70a2/transcript

Fresh out of the Big Brother Australia 2025 house, Connor relives the heartbreak of being evicted just one night before the finale. He explains why he believes Australia was torn between “cults of personality versus my cause.” How he knew Coco and Colin were huge public favourites thanks to names being shouted from the Dreamworld rollercoaster and what it felt like to step onto the stage knowing he’d tripped right at the end of the Big Brother marathon.

In this revealing chat, Connor opens up about the way Australia embraced his Tourette’s journey.  He talks through the conversations he had with producers before entering the house, the debate around which words were censored and which weren’t and why some of the most confronting tics are actually rooted in his deepest fears around homophobia and transphobia.

Connor also explains why living with Tourette’s was, in many ways, easier inside the Big Brother house than in the real world. With time to sit down and explain his tics to housemates, he was able to break the cycle of anxiety and misunderstanding in a way he rarely can with strangers in day-to-day life.

Beyond Tourette’s and advocacy, we dive into his neurodivergence, his lack of a formal “game plan”, and why cooking became a nightly therapeutic ritual rather than strategy. Connor talks about being labelled the “smartest housemate,” how his curiosity and pattern recognition shaped his experience and why his direct communication style can sometimes be misread as self-righteousness.

Plus, he shares who he thinks deserves to win (and why he’s backing Emily), why he’d also be happy to see Colin take the crown, how his gameplay shifted once he relaxed into himself and what the 24/7 live stream did to the way housemates behaved on camera.

The episode ends with Connor reflecting on his earlier appearance on The Project, the responsibility he feels as an advocate and his belief that “someone’s got to do it and eventually you realise you’re someone.”

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

2:20 – The pre-finale heartbreak
Connor on being evicted the night before the finale, why he thinks the vote was “cults of personality versus my cause” and the strange mix of shock and relief he felt walking out.

3:30 – Australia embraces his Tourette’s
How public support has shifted his self-perception after years of feeling “two steps behind” when tics land badly in everyday life.

4:15 – Conversations with producers & censorship
What was discussed before he entered the house, his belief that censorship is never the answer and why he still understands TV has rules it has to follow.

5:10 – The ‘gay’ slur on air
Connor explains coprolalia, his deep fears around being seen as homophobic or transphobic, and why the things he says with Tourette’s are often the things he least wants to express.

6:10 – Big Brother vs real life with Tourette’s
Why living in the house was actually easier: having time to explain himself, reduce anxiety and break the misunderstanding loop with housemates.

7:30 – Neurodivergence & coping mechanisms
Ben and Connor compare their own neurodivergent experiences and how structure, familiarity and honest communication made the house more manageable than the outside world.

8:25 – No game plan, just cooking
Connor admits he came in as a fan with no strategy, why cooking nightly meals was therapy not gameplay and how his analytical brain naturally “Sunday-morning quarterbacks” situations.

9:50 – Expectations vs reality & unprepared housemates
Why the show itself didn’t surprise him — but how underprepared some of the other housemates seemed absolutely did.

11:00 – Who deserves to win?
Why he’s backing Emily as a beacon of hope, why he’d still be happy to see Colin win and how both brought something powerful but different to the game.

12:20 – The smartest housemate
Connor owns the “smartest in the house” label, where his knowledge comes from and why curiosity is the key to everything.

13:20 – Directness vs self-righteousness
How his desire for clear, open communication can be misread, and why he believes that reaction often says more about others than it does about him.

14:20 – Finding his real game
From struggling in the first week and a half to relaxing, meditating and having more fun during the “Toilet Boys” era — how that shift brought the real Connor back.

15:25 – Live stream pressure & always being ‘on’
His thoughts on being watched 24/7, the trolls he expected and why the live feeds pushed some housemates to stay “on” for the cameras.

16:10 – Someone’s got to do it
Connor reflects on his earlier Project appearance, the responsibility of representation and why taking a few hard knocks is worth it if it makes life easier for the next generation.

Fresh out of the Big Brother Australia 2025 house, Connor relives the heartbreak of being evicted just one night before the finale. He explains why he believes Australia was torn between &ldquo;cults of personality versus my cause.&rdquo; How he knew Coco and Colin were huge public favourites thanks to names being shouted from the Dreamworld rollercoaster and what it felt like to step onto the stage knowing he&rsquo;d tripped right at the end of the Big Brother marathon.
In this revealing chat, Connor opens up about the way Australia embraced his Tourette&rsquo;s journey.&nbsp; He talks through the conversations he had with producers before entering the house, the debate around which words were censored and which weren&rsquo;t and why some of the most confronting tics are actually rooted in his deepest fears around homophobia and transphobia.
Connor also explains why living with Tourette&rsquo;s was, in many ways, easier inside the Big Brother house than in the real world. With time to sit down and explain his tics to housemates, he was able to break the cycle of anxiety and misunderstanding in a way he rarely can with strangers in day-to-day life.
Beyond Tourette&rsquo;s and advocacy, we dive into his neurodivergence, his lack of a formal &ldquo;game plan&rdquo;, and why cooking became a nightly therapeutic ritual rather than strategy. Connor talks about being labelled the &ldquo;smartest housemate,&rdquo; how his curiosity and pattern recognition shaped his experience and why his direct communication style can sometimes be misread as self-righteousness.
Plus, he shares who he thinks deserves to win (and why he&rsquo;s backing Emily), why he&rsquo;d also be happy to see Colin take the crown, how his gameplay shifted once he relaxed into himself and what the 24/7 live stream did to the way housemates behaved on camera.
The episode ends with Connor reflecting on his earlier appearance on The Project, the responsibility he feels as an advocate and his belief that &ldquo;someone&rsquo;s got to do it and eventually you realise you&rsquo;re someone.&rdquo;
Timestamps &amp; Key Takeaways
2:20 &ndash; The pre-finale heartbreak Connor on being evicted the night before the finale, why he thinks the vote was &ldquo;cults of personality versus my cause&rdquo; and the strange mix of shock and relief he felt walking out.
3:30 &ndash; Australia embraces his Tourette&rsquo;s How public support has shifted his self-perception after years of feeling &ldquo;two steps behind&rdquo; when tics land badly in everyday life.
4:15 &ndash; Conversations with producers &amp; censorship What was discussed before he entered the house, his belief that censorship is never the answer and why he still understands TV has rules it has to follow.
5:10 &ndash; The &lsquo;gay&rsquo; slur on air Connor explains coprolalia, his deep fears around being seen as homophobic or transphobic, and why the things he says with Tourette&rsquo;s are often the things he least wants to express.
6:10 &ndash; Big Brother vs real life with Tourette&rsquo;s Why living in the house was actually easier: having time to explain himself, reduce anxiety and break the misunderstanding loop with housemates.
7:30 &ndash; Neurodivergence &amp; coping mechanisms Ben and Connor compare their own neurodivergent experiences and how structure, familiarity and honest communication made the house more manageable than the outside world.
8:25 &ndash; No game plan, just cooking Connor admits he came in as a fan with no strategy, why cooking nightly meals was therapy not gameplay and how his analytical brain naturally &ldquo;Sunday-morning quarterbacks&rdquo; situations.
9:50 &ndash; Expectations vs reality &amp; unprepared housemates Why the show itself didn&rsquo;t surprise him &mdash; but how underprepared some of the other housemates seemed absolutely did.
11:00 &ndash; Who deserves to win? Why he&rsquo;s backing Emily as a beacon of hope, why he&rsquo;d still be happy to see Colin win and how both brought something powerful but different to the game.
12:20 &ndash; The smartest housemate Connor owns the &ldquo;smartest in the house&rdquo; label, where his knowledge comes from and why curiosity is the key to everything.
13:20 &ndash; Directness vs self-righteousness How his desire for clear, open communication can be misread, and why he believes that reaction often says more about others than it does about him.
14:20 &ndash; Finding his real game From struggling in the first week and a half to relaxing, meditating and having more fun during the &ldquo;Toilet Boys&rdquo; era &mdash; how that shift brought the real Connor back.
15:25 &ndash; Live stream pressure &amp; always being &lsquo;on&rsquo; His thoughts on being watched 24/7, the trolls he expected and why the live feeds pushed some housemates to stay &ldquo;on&rdquo; for the cameras.
16:10 &ndash; Someone&rsquo;s got to do it Connor reflects on his earlier Project appearance, the responsibility of representation and why taking a few hard knocks is worth it if it makes life easier for the next generation.

BIG BROTHER'S CONNER UPACKS SOME BIG QUESTIONS

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/a0cb4640-02a9-4018-aada-b3ad0052b46e/transcript

Fresh out of the Big Brother house, Edward relives the moment he realised the letter “from Mum” wasn’t quite right. And how it felt when it suddenly turned into an eviction and what it was like to walk out without the chance to properly say goodbye. He explains why, despite the heartbreak, he’s a realist about the game and why he refused to take the decision personally.

In this revealing conversation, Edward opens up about the pressure-cooker reality of Big Brother. From missing his incredibly close family to the off-hand “I want to quit” moment that rattled live feed viewers. He explains why, even though he said it in the heat of emotion, actually walking out on his own was never really on the table.

We also tackle the so-called villain edit head on. Edward reacts to that viral “shut up” moment, how it felt seeing the audience response and why he takes full accountability for what he said while still insisting it’s a real snapshot of how humans behave under pressure. Which is the whole point of doing Big Brother.

Then there’s Mia. Edward breaks down their connection. What was friendship versus flirtation and how inexperience in the dating world may have blurred some lines. He also talks about the “still single” part of his life, why he’s actually content and answers some very direct questions about compromise, relationships and what might need to shift for the right person to come along.

Plus, we dig into his dynamic with Vinnie, the “fake” label that spiralled after the live nomination and how things really stand between them now that the dust has settled. Edward also shares who he thinks is the smartest housemate. And who he’s backing to win and whether we’ll be seeing him at the live finale.

2:10 – The letter from home that became an eviction: Edward explains the moment he realised the wording wasn’t like his mum, how the twist blindsided him and why he still walked out of Dreamworld smiling

4:25 – “I want to quit”: inside the pressure cooker of the house, missing his family, saying things he didn’t fully mean and why walking out on his own was never actually an option

6:40 – Feeling overwhelmed & holding back: Edward talks about sussing out the house dynamics, avoiding the instant “boys’ club” and why it took time for him to come out of his shell

8:15 – Life on a TV set that looks like Play School: what it’s really like living in the hyper-bright Big Brother house and how cameras and microphones quickly become second nature

9:55 – Mia, mixed signals and friendship vs romance: Edward clarifies how he saw their connection, why he treats the women in his life similarly and how limited dating experience can complicate things

11:45 – Why he’s still single: family first, being rarely lonely, what he wants from a future partner and his response when asked directly if compromise might be an issue

13:30 – The live nomination & Vinnie’s “fake” label: Edward breaks down that huge turning point, Jane’s influence, what he was really trying to say and how the situation blew up beyond what he expected

15:10 – The “shut up” moment and villain edit: Edward reacts to seeing it back, the audience’s visceral response and why he owns his words while pointing out that everyone snaps sometimes

17:00 – Authenticity under pressure: why Edward believes Big Brother works best when people behave as they do in real life — including the messy, imperfect moments

18:20 – Smartest housemate, pick to win & finale chatter: why he rates Connor’s intelligence, why he’d love to see Big Bruce take out the title and whether we’ll be seeing Edward at the live finale

19:30 – Wingman Ben & life after the house: joking about hitting the Gold Coast together, fresh fades and what Edward hopes to take from the experience moving forward

Whether you’re still reeling from the letter twist or fascinated by how different housemates cope under pressure, this episode is a must-listen. Hear Edward’s unfiltered take on gameplay, emotion, perception and life after Big Brother — while the season is still unfolding.

Fresh out of the Big Brother house, Edward relives the moment he realised the letter &ldquo;from Mum&rdquo; wasn&rsquo;t quite right. And how it felt when it suddenly turned into an eviction and what it was like to walk out without the chance to properly say goodbye.&nbsp;He explains why, despite the heartbreak, he&rsquo;s a realist about the game and why he refused to take the decision personally.
In this revealing conversation, Edward opens up about the pressure-cooker reality of Big Brother. From missing his incredibly close family to the off-hand &ldquo;I want to quit&rdquo; moment that rattled live feed viewers. He explains why, even though he said it in the heat of emotion, actually walking out on his own was never really on the table.
We also tackle the so-called villain edit head on. Edward reacts to that viral &ldquo;shut up&rdquo; moment, how it felt seeing the audience response and why he takes full accountability for what he said while still insisting it&rsquo;s a real snapshot of how humans behave under pressure. Which is the whole point of doing Big Brother.
Then there&rsquo;s Mia. Edward breaks down their connection. What was friendship versus flirtation and how inexperience in the dating world may have blurred some lines. He also talks about the &ldquo;still single&rdquo; part of his life, why he&rsquo;s actually content and answers some very direct questions about compromise, relationships and what might need to shift for the right person to come along.
Plus, we dig into his dynamic with Vinnie, the &ldquo;fake&rdquo; label that spiralled after the live nomination and how things really stand between them now that the dust has settled. Edward also shares who he thinks is the smartest housemate. And who he&rsquo;s backing to win and whether we&rsquo;ll be seeing him at the live finale.
2:10 &ndash; The letter from home that became an eviction: Edward explains the moment he realised the wording wasn&rsquo;t like his mum, how the twist blindsided him and why he still walked out of Dreamworld smiling
4:25 &ndash; &ldquo;I want to quit&rdquo;: inside the pressure cooker of the house, missing his family, saying things he didn&rsquo;t fully mean and why walking out on his own was never actually an option
6:40 &ndash; Feeling overwhelmed &amp; holding back: Edward talks about sussing out the house dynamics, avoiding the instant &ldquo;boys&rsquo; club&rdquo; and why it took time for him to come out of his shell
8:15 &ndash; Life on a TV set that looks like Play School: what it&rsquo;s really like living in the hyper-bright Big Brother house and how cameras and microphones quickly become second nature
9:55 &ndash; Mia, mixed signals and friendship vs romance: Edward clarifies how he saw their connection, why he treats the women in his life similarly and how limited dating experience can complicate things
11:45 &ndash; Why he&rsquo;s still single: family first, being rarely lonely, what he wants from a future partner and his response when asked directly if compromise might be an issue
13:30 &ndash; The live nomination &amp; Vinnie&rsquo;s &ldquo;fake&rdquo; label: Edward breaks down that huge turning point, Jane&rsquo;s influence, what he was really trying to say and how the situation blew up beyond what he expected
15:10 &ndash; The &ldquo;shut up&rdquo; moment and villain edit: Edward reacts to seeing it back, the audience&rsquo;s visceral response and why he owns his words while pointing out that everyone snaps sometimes
17:00 &ndash; Authenticity under pressure: why Edward believes Big Brother works best when people behave as they do in real life &mdash; including the messy, imperfect moments
18:20 &ndash; Smartest housemate, pick to win &amp; finale chatter: why he rates Connor&rsquo;s intelligence, why he&rsquo;d love to see Big Bruce take out the title and whether we&rsquo;ll be seeing Edward at the live finale
19:30 &ndash; Wingman Ben &amp; life after the house: joking about hitting the Gold Coast together, fresh fades and what Edward hopes to take from the experience moving forward
Whether you&rsquo;re still reeling from the letter twist or fascinated by how different housemates cope under pressure, this episode is a must-listen. Hear Edward&rsquo;s unfiltered take on gameplay, emotion, perception and life after Big Brother &mdash; while the season is still unfolding.

BIG BROTHER DOES THE DIRTY DOUBLE ON EDWARD

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/54ddc5d5-ff7d-4663-a2cf-b3ad002d9eb9/transcript

Kyle Sandilands: Australian Idol - Judge

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