Australian Idol judge Marcia Hines has posted an emotional thank you message to health care workers, her family and friends after a medical incident meant she was absent from last Sunday night’s show.
Hines was replaced by guest judge Guy Sebastian after collapsing backstage at Sydney’s Coliseum Theatre before the show went to air.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Marcia Hines returns to Australian Idol after medical incident.
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She was taken to hospital, where she received head stitches, and was well enough to return to the Grand Finale show on Monday night, when NSW singer Dylan Wright was voted in as the country’s next Australian Idol.
“There’s no place like home … especially when Sistah is here to greet me 🐾,” Hines wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday, sharing a picture of her cat.
“What an action-packed week. ❤️
“I’ve experienced so much care and love, and none more so than the exceptional treatment that Brad Ceely and his entire team at Blacktown Hospital gave me during my stay with them.
“We are so fortunate to live in a country with such incredible healthcare, and the amazing facilities we have in our Western Sydney suburbs — wow!
“I’m so grateful to all of the hospital staff — from the tireless nurses to the wonderful administration staff.”
She went on to thank the staff of Mount Druitt Emergency Department, the ambulance crew and the doctor who had “stitched her up” after her fall.
“Ouch lol 🤕Thank you for being you and keeping us all safe 🫶🏾,” she wrote.
“Thank you also to Kyle, Amy and all the team at @australianidol for your love, and also to my @greaseoztour family who I’ll be seeing soon,” she added, referring to Grease the Musical, which she will be appearing in.
“Thank you also to my family and friends — you’re always there when I need you most 💝.”
It’s understood that Hines’ illness was related to her Type 1 diabetes.
Fans flocked to the comments section of her post to wish her well.
“Great news! Can’t wait to see you in Grease in May,” one follower wrote.
“So happy you’re home again. Your cat is beautiful!”, said another.
“Hope you’re recovered, Marcia ! Be well x,” added a third.
Hines, 70, released a brief message on Sunday night apologising for not being part of that night’s episode.
“I’m very sorry that I’m not there with you all tonight,” she wrote.
“It’s been a big few days of work, and I was feeling a little unwell.
“I’m resting up now so I can be back with you all tomorrow night.”
And so she was, looking as fabulous as always for Australian Idol’s final episode for 2024.
Co-hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie said it was “so good to have you back” and that everyone had missed her on Sunday night’s program.
Asked how she was feeling, Hines said she felt “fine”.
“I want to thank everybody who reached out towards me, you know,” she said.
“I do appreciate it.
“And you guys need to know — I couldn’t have missed this for the world.
“I couldn’t have.”
Hines said she had “stitches and everything” after collapsing backstage before Sunday night’s show, briefly lifting her hair to show stitches on her forehead.
“It is all good. I’m good. I go back to the hospital tonight,” she added.
Coulter praised Hines for getting “glammed up” for the big occasion.
“We love you are here, right everybody?” she said, as the audience broke out into loud applause.
Earlier in the day, Guy Sebastian explained a little of what had happened on Sunday.
“It was a busier day than planned,” he said, speaking to Sunrise co-hosts Kylie Gillies and Matt Shirvington.
“We were sound checking and when we got there it was a sombre mood.
“And so Marcia — obviously as Kyle said — had to leave, and she, from what I know, she’s OK.
“I think that was the main concern at the start.
“Then Kyle made a joke, ‘Oh, I guess they might get you to fill in’ and I laughed, then literally at the same time my manager who is over there, is like, ‘Guy, we need to speak’.”
Sebastian said he jumped straight into the role, calling it a “full circle” moment to fill in for the judge who guided him through the show in 2003.
During the live show, host Coulter assured fans the singing superstar was OK as she explained her absence.
“Before we get into it, you will have spotted that we are missing someone very important and very special to the Idol family,” she said.
“Unfortunately, Marcia is unwell and unable to join us tonight.”
Sandilands added: “She was taken out here in an ambulance. Just so everyone knows, she’s fine … she didn’t just ring in with a headache, but she’s fine.”
