Gareth Cliff would not be part of the judging panel for South African Idols season 12, which was due to commence with countrywide auditions at the end of this month, M-Net announced.
“M-Net made the announcement late last night in a statement, where it thanked the radio DJ for the critical role he has played in seeking out and developing new talent over the years and for contributing to the success of the show to date,” EWN reported.
“Cliff came under fire earlier this week, when he weighed in on the Penny Sparrow saga after the former estate agent called black beachgoers at Durban’s beaches, monkeys”.
IOL
M-Net announced that Gareth Cliff won't be part of the judging panel for #IdolsSA season 12 https://t.co/FWBKyetaNq pic.twitter.com/dBKTMXOoLa
— Idols South Africa (@IdolsSA) January 8, 2016
@IdolsSA overreacting much? This show should be canceled anyway, you are doing him a favour #IdolsSA @garethcliff
— Venolia Manale (@VenoliaM) January 9, 2016
So who will they replace Gareth with? They might just add Patricia Lewis to the panel, gotta still balance the race scale #IdolsSA
— Tiisetso Thandi Gama (@tiiesto19) January 9, 2016