Viewers have turned on Australian Idol after fan favourite Ripley Alexander was eliminated from the singing competition on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old was sent home when he failed to make the cut after fans made a live vote for their Top Ten contestants.
And now his supporters have taken to social media to share their grief, with some complaining that the show is ‘rigged’.
Across the nation 1.3million viewers made their choice with Ripley, surprisingly, finishing in the bottom four.
‘Rigged! It’s impossible he left as I know every one voted,’ one fan shared on the Australian Idol Instagram.
Viewers have turned on Australian Idol after fan favourite Ripley Alexander was eliminated from the singing competition on Tuesday. Pictured
The 19-year-old was sent home when he failed to make the cut after fans made a live vote for their Top Ten contestants
‘The backlash is going to be real on this one,’ said another disappointed Idol viewer.
‘Not watching this anymore, the judging is ridiculous,’ message another fan.
Many Idol fans messaged the show’s social media to complain that they had experienced issues while attempting to cast a vote for Ripley.
‘So regarding the voting,’ explained one fan.
‘Did anyone get s reply back from Australian Idol saying thanks fot your vote? As I voted for Ripley three time and got no response..so was the voting set up correctly?’
‘Tried voting for him [Ripley] and it kept bouncing back.’
‘Rigged! It’s impossible he left as I know every one voted,’ one fan shared on the Australian Idol Instagram
As the bottom four were announced on Tuesday’s episode, judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark were stunned at the shock result.
The bottom four were Ripley from Brisbane; Imogen, 23, from Victoria; Ivana, 20, from Victoria and Karratha’s TJ Zimba, 24.
On Ripley, Kyle said: ‘The guy has millions of streams and such a unique voice. I’m shocked you are in the bottom.’
The bottom four artists took to the stage to prove they deserve a spot in the Top 10.
Ripley impressed with his take on Mercy by Shawn Mendes, while Ivana showed off her powerful voice on Where Have You Been by Rihanna.
Imogen stunned the crowd with her final performance, singing Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, while TJ brought the vibe with Bad Guy by Billie Eilish.
Kyle called ‘super talent’ Ripley’s elimination, ‘Unbelievable. A real shame.’
Amy said: ‘I honestly have no words… my mind is blown right now.’
Marcia reflected that Ripley was so popular Australia may have forgotten to vote.
‘You’ve got to vote to keep people on. We don’t want a repeat of this again. If you really dig somebody vote for them,’ she said.
‘I feel like it’s our fault, we talked you up Ripley.’
Ripley departed the show alongside Imogen.
Ripley was humble in his exit, telling the judges and audience, ‘I love you all. I just want to say thank you all so much.’
As the bottom four were announced on Tuesday’s episode, judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark were stunned at the shock result
Kyle called ‘super talent’ Ripley’s elimination, ‘Unbelievable. A real shame’
