Cape Town – Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi will not be judges for the upcoming 18th season of Idols SA, DStv announced on Friday.
“The channel will not be renewing their contracts for the upcoming season of the popular singing show.
“We are taking a fresh approach to the judging panel to retain audiences and stay competitive in the Sunday night time slot,” Channel24 quoted M-Net director for local entertainment channels, Shirley Adonisi, as saying.
Adonisi thanked Randall and Unathi, saying they had displayed high levels of professionalism as judges of the singing competition.
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“We salute these great icons of South African entertainment and thank them both for great innings on Idols. Randall and Unathi have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and made an impact on the South African entertainment scene that will continue to be felt for some time to come. We wish them well in their endeavours,” Adonisi said, according to The Citizen.
This came as reports indicated this week that Somizi Mhlongo was set to come back on this year’s season 18 of Idols SA.
According to City Press, Somizi’s return was a result of the declining viewership after the media personality was given a break from the show last year.
Somizi “has been given the green light because he is obviously the life of the show” the report quoted a source as saying.
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SomG, as he is affectionately known by his loyal supporters, was given time-off the singing competition following abuse allegations levelled against him by his now estranged husband, Mohale Mutaung.
Mohale, in a leaked recording, claimed that Somizi broke his ribs and nearly knocked out his two teeth in a jealously-fueled domestic dispute in their Joburg home last year.
Meanwhile Unathi was fired from her radio show Midday Joy on Kaya 959 last year in November following “certain conduct that rendered the relationship intolerable going forward”.
According to The South African the radio station confirmed that she was fired following an argument between her and fellow colleague on the station, Sizwe Dhlomo.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
