Australian Idol hosts skip Wollongong auditions

Hundreds of singers will head to the University of Wollongong today with hopes of becoming the next Australian Idol.The Network Ten show's producers will be in the Illawarra as part of a national tour to find the next big talent, but judges Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands and Ian "Dicko" Dickson will not be present.The region is still looking for its first Idol winner, although it has come close with Bulli's Chloe Skipp in 2005's top 30 and Michelle Cashman of Shellharbour named in 2003's top 40.Contestants who make the next round will face the three judges in Sydney. Dicko told the Mercury last week they were seeking contestants with personality."The fact is the bad ones are really fun and the great ones are really uplifting, but there is a lot of mediocrity and what we crave more than anything is a little individuality," he said.However, Dicko warned that contestants should be themselves."When people stand up and just go, 'this is me, this is what I want to be, this is what I'm all about', it is fabulously exciting," he said. Auditions will be at the university's conference and functions centre, with registration from 2pm-8pm.