Throwbacks and shout-outs: Inside Gareth’s last night on Idols
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. After 11 seasons as a judge on Idols South Africa, radio star Gareth Cliff made his final appearance on the show on Sunday evening.
As one of the original judges on the show, Gareth had stolen the hearts of fans with his sharp comments and no-nonsense approach.
In an emotionally-charged season finale, Gareth finally bid farewell to the show that had seen him become a staple part of so many South African's Sunday nights.
He joined in the choruses of laughter as Somizi took to the stage to perform with Wooden Mic winner Mbhishoph Shezi, and cheered as songbird Noma Khumalo was crowned the winner of this season's competition.
In fact, Gareth was, well, mostly all smiles during the finale as he and his fellow judges, Somizi, Unathi and Randall, celebrated the close of yet another season of the popular show with pictures together.
Oh, and there was even a brief appearance from former Idols SA judge Dave Thompson, whom Gareth had invited to the finale as his guest.
"Gonna miss my G. My brother. My laughter owner. If our desk could talk the nyoso (nonsense) we talk about during commercials. It's the end of us as colleagues on idols but brothers and friends for life," Somizi wrote, in one of a dozen tributes to Gareth posted to social media on the evening.
As the show drew to an end, Gareth returned to Instagram to post a final farewell message to the show and his fellow judges, calling his time on the show "an amazing journey".
Gareth had earlier this year been dismissed from Idols SA for social media comments he made about the Penny Sparrow racism controversy. He challenged the decision and was later reinstated.
He shocked the nation earlier this month when he announced, in a Facebook post, that he had resigned from Idols SA.
The days that followed saw tributes for the star from fans and friends, including from fellow judge Unathi Msengana.
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Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.