Morgan Evans joins Australian Idol on Channel 7 – International country music star Morgan Evans will join the judging panel on Australian Idol when the star-making series returns to Channel 7 and 7plus in 2027.
The move gives Australian Idol a sharper local-meets-global music story for its next season. For Channel 7, Evans brings Nashville credibility, Australian roots and recent Idol familiarity.
He also arrives with a direct connection to the show, after performing on the 2026 grand finale. Evans will sit alongside Idol original Marcia Hines and TV WEEK Logie Award winner Amy Shark.
New-look judging panel
Together, the panel will search across the country for the next Australian Idol.
“I’m stoked to be joining Amy, Marcia and the Idol crew next year!” Evans said.
Evans said his time teaching guitar in Newcastle helped shape the way he supports new artists. Since then, his international career has given him plenty to share with contestants.
Seven’s Director of Content, Unscripted, Majella Hay, described Evans as “the real deal”. She also pointed to his success as one of the few Australian artists to break through in Nashville.
Morgan Evans’ international career
Raised in Newcastle, New South Wales, Evans has built a global career across multiple albums and EPs. His catalogue has passed one billion streams worldwide.
His 2018 album Things That We Drink To delivered the platinum hits Kiss Somebody and Day Drunk. Later, the viral Over For You led to two sold-out Sydney Opera House performances and the 2024 album Live at the Sydney Opera House.
Evans released Steel Town in 2026. The album draws on time spent reconnecting with his industrial hometown and blends modern country, rock and pop nostalgia.
Ricki-Lee hosts Australian Idol alongside entertainment presenter Scott Tweedie. The show first introduced Ricki-Lee to national audiences in 2004, while Kesha Neve from Jindabyne won the 2026 season.
Eureka Productions, a Fremantle company, produces Australian Idol for the Seven Network.
Australian Idol returns to Channel 7 and 7plus in 2027. More Channel 7 coverage is available in TV Central’s Channel 7 section, and Australian Idol is available on 7plus.
