Australian Idol judges Kyle Sandilands and Harry Connick Jr. continue their long-running feud

Kyle Sandilands and fellow Australian Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. continued their high-profile feud during Sunday’s episode of the singing contest.

The pair traded barbs as they battled over the contestants as it was revealed that the top six will be subject to a public vote before the final episode.

While radio star Kyle insisted that the singers choose songs that viewers would love, Harry encouraged them to challenge themselves and take risks.

Kyle criticized the singers for deciding right at the end of the contest, ‘Oh, let’s do something different’, saying it made him ‘panic’.

Harry replied that ‘respectfully’ Kyle didn’t understand what he was talking about.

This is what I understand. You show up in a Ferrari, not a Datsun with some mag wheels,” Kyle chimed in, before warning the singers not to try to “impress” Harry, but to think about the audience.

‘This is a place where you sing to win. You win the record deal, then you go and do your airy fairy artist party stuff,’ he insisted.

Kyle recently lifted the lid on his ‘feud’ with the American singer on the reality show.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Sandilands, 51, insisted the rivalry between the two was genuine.

‘They’re not bulls**t. There really is no drama. It’s like, you know when someone just doesn’t like you, you know? He explained.

Kyle criticized the singers for deciding right at the end of the contest, ‘Oh, let’s do something different’, saying it made him ‘panic’. Harry (pictured) replied that ‘respectfully’ Kyle didn’t understand what he was talking about.

This is what I understand. You show up in a Ferrari, not a Datsun with some mag wheels,” Kyle chimed in.

“Maybe it’s because he doesn’t run up and praise me, which I don’t expect him to, as if joking, but he’s on one end and I’m on the other.”

Sandilands insisted she doesn’t “hate” the singer, but suggested they aren’t close because they “don’t really spend a lot of time together.”

‘He is blunt. I’m super busy. It’s not a rivalry or any drama…he’s just not as close as me and Meghan (Trainor).

Sandilands and Connick Jr. join the Australian Idol judging panel with local pop sensation Amy Shark and American hitmaker Meghan Trainor.

Rivals are joined on the Australian Idol judging panel by local pop sensation Amy Shark (2nd from right) and American hitmaker Meghan Trainor (2nd from left)

Sandilands previously revealed that he and Connick Jr. had a huge “blow up” over the phone, and that the pair are no longer on speaking terms.

Talking to KIIS FM stablemates Will and WoodySandilands said he had a feeling Connick Jr. never liked him, so things were “thorny” between them from the start.

The rivalry came to a head when Sandilands criticized Connick Jr. in an interview for “talking about the pronouns” of the contestants, resulting in a tense callout.

‘I just thought ‘what a flop’ and hung up. That was it. The friendship is over,’ Sandilands said.

The couple no longer speak off set and it’s unclear if the judges’ dispute will affect any of their future appearances on the show.

Sandilands revealed that he and Connick Jr. had a huge “blow up” over the phone, and that the pair are no longer on speaking terms.