A New Look for Mark Holden
Australian Idol judge Mark Holden made a surprising appearance in Melbourne this week, leaving many fans stunned by his new look. Known for his iconic ‘touchdown’ catchphrase and meticulously styled hair, Mark’s recent appearance was a far cry from the days he spent on the reality TV show.
Anthony Callea, an Australian Idol star, took to Instagram to share some photos of himself working on new tracks in the studio. In a somewhat informal reunion, one photo showed Anthony posing with Mark, 71, who had stopped by Rolling Rock Recording Studios in Collingwood to check on Anthony’s progress.
Mark’s appearance was so different that most Idol fans would have done a double-take. He sported a gruff salt and pepper beard, which added to his new, more rugged look. While his hair was still expertly styled, with not a strand out of place, it had changed to a light grey hue. Adding to the incognito vibe, Mark wore a pair of clear-framed tinted glasses.
‘Studio days with the OG…. Mr Touchdown himself, Mark Holden!’ Anthony captioned the post. ‘We haven’t changed a bit.’ Friends and followers were quick to comment on the reunion snap, including Idol alum Paulini Curuenavuli who wrote: ‘Tell him I said hi.’ Another added that they barely recognised Mark in the photo. ‘He looks so different with the white hair. Almost too hard to recognise,’ the commenter said. A third added a similar sentiment: ‘Geez, I wouldn’t have known him.’ One nostalgic commenter summed up the sentiment of many with: ‘Fantastic image of you both, and great memories of Idol.’
Anthony was the runner-up of Idol’s 2004 season, with Casey Donovan taking the top prize. Meanwhile, after forging a successful career as a singer and producer both here and in the US, Mark signed on as an Australian Idol judge for its inaugural season in 2003. He served alongside hosts Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, Marcia Hines and later Kyle Sandilands until his departure in 2007.
The one-time pop star was sacked as a judge during the show’s heyday and later blamed Dicko for his demise. Appearing on Sunrise in 2022, Mark revealed he still had a score to settle with his friend and rival. Asked about Channel Seven’s reboot of the popular singing contest, Holden appeared to be enthusiastic, saying: ‘It’s the best show on television.’ He said there had been no better judging panel on the show than when he was teamed with singer Marcia Hines and radio superstar Kyle Sandilands. Holden then added: ‘Screw Dicko.’
Despite appearing alongside Idol star Joel Turner to promote a Mulletfest event, Mark could not resist taking digs at his former co-star. Known on Australian Idol for using the catchphrase ‘that’s a touchdown’ to praise performances, Mark dismissed a question from host Sally Bowrey and asked: ‘Do you remember Dicko’s great catch call?’ Co-host Sam Mac caught on to Holden’s dig at Dickson, adding: ‘Oh, I see what’s happening, he’s throwing shade at Dicko. ‘You got him Mark, you got got him.’ Sam later had his own cheeky dig at Mark suggesting he was campaigning for a return to the series. ‘This started out as a chat about Mulletfest, but this is now a campaign to get Mark Holden back on Australian Idol,’ he joked, as Holden laughed along.
