Idols is on the road again! After a two-year absence South African Idols is back on M-Net, with auditions kicking off in Johannesburg on June 23.

“This reality format is incredibly successful all over the world and during the past year viewers have begged us to bring back a local version,” says Carl Fischer, Head of M-Net’s Original Productions. “We are also excited about the improved audition process that will allow even more South Africans to become part of Idols. We will visit big cities as well as smaller towns to find South Africa’s new Idol.”

This year there is no registration process – come one, come all, prospective Idols simply have to turn up at the five audition venues throughout the country in June and July and sing! Idols is open to all South African citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 as at June 22, 2007. Proof of age, like an ID documents or a birth certificate, will be required.

In KZN this year, the Idols Auditions Roadshow will visit the coastal resort town of Margate, and those auditions will be held at the Main Beach on July 5.

(Auditions take place in Johannesburg on June 23 at the Standard Bank Arena; in Cape Town at the River Club in Observatory on June 29; in Knysna at the Oakhill School on July 10 and in Centurion at Supersport Park on July 18)

The usual dependable Idols team is back, with Dave Thompson, Randall Abrahams, Gareth Cliff and Mara Louw in the judges’ seats and being kept in check by Idols presenter Colin Moss.

Colin Moss is one of South Africa’s most beloved personalities and was named You magazine’s Most Popular Male Celebrity last year. This season marks Colin’s third stint as Idols presenter and he has become synonymous with South African Idols. “I am thrilled to be back,” he says, “especially since our audition rounds this year take us to such picturesque places as Knysna during the Oyster Festival! I can’t wait to see the talent that we will unearth.”

Idols launches on M-Net on 19 August at 17h30.