With his wife Anna and daughter Katie, Mark is heading back to LA for a few weeks, staying with his friend and former musical collaborator - one Mr David Hasslehoff.
Whilst there, as well as celebrating Anna's birthday with friends and family, the Holden and Hoff are planning on making time to write some new songs together for David's daughters - Hayley and Taylor-Anne - who are currently working on an album.
Mark is most excited to be working with Hasslehoff again and both families are looking forward to some great 'hang-out together' time. You'll be able to catch some of their antics on 'Hoff-TV'. Look out for them on David's website: hasslehoff.com
Mark will also be pitching a new music-based TV format that he's developing. At this stage it's totally 'hush-hush' so we can't divulge the details except to say that he's about to tie up the idea with a top Australian production company and together they're planning to take it to the US .
As for Australian Idol, Mark certainly wishes the team every sucess for season 6 and is confident there will be lots of great new Ausssie talent discovered in 2008 .
Also best wishes to the beautiful Cal Wilson from Nova's 'The Wrong Way Home'and to much success on'Dancing With The Stars'.
Mark and The Hoff first met at an
L.A. pool party in the mid-70s
Mark departs Australian Idol
Idol will be back in 2008 ..
But alas ... without the legendary trademark Holden "je ne sais quoi". In a joint press release from Mark and Channel Ten - it was announced that Mark, after five years, is leaving Australian Idol to pursue other projects
So, as we prepare ourselves to reluctantly bid farewell to the loveable "Touchdown" guy, we are comforted - for the moment - with the official press release .....
Mark Holden today announced his decision to leave the judging panel of Australian Idol after discussions this week highlighted his desire to focus on acting, radio and documentary production.
Network Ten agreed to release Mark from his judging duties only after an agreement to remain with the network was reached.
Mark Holden said: Working on Idol has been an exceptional, challenging and gratifying experience. I'm really proud of what we?ve achieved but it's time for me to look at doing other things.
David Mott, TEN's chief programming officer, thanked Mark for five exceptional years as a judge on Idol. "This decision was not made simply nor taken lightly by either of us. Mark has made a valuable contribution to Idol since it began in 2003 and we appreciate what he offered the franchise. He's decided to leave Idol but not TEN, this relationship has a long way to go yet," he said.
Mark Fennessy, FremantleMedia Australia CEO, says "We acknowledge the outstanding contribution Mark has made to Australian Idol over the past 5 years. We wish him continued success in the future."
Mark is appearing in the much celebrated production of SHOUT! now showing at The Lyric Theatre, Star City Sydney.
September 2008
With his wife Anna and daughter Katie, Mark is heading back to LA for a few weeks, staying with his friend and former musical collaborator - one Mr David Hasslehoff.
