Ian Ross Perrygrove (born 28 March 1963) better known as Ian "Dicko" Dickson or simply "Dicko" is an English Australian television and radio presenter, television producer, music journalist and former record company executive and talent scout. He has been a talent judge on Australian Idol, The Next Great American Band, the 2012 reboot of Young Talent Time and Australia's Got Talent. He previously spent over twenty years working in the record industry in both the U.K. and Australia, for labels including Creation Records, Sony, A&M and BMG and for music acts including Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne, Primal Scream and Pearl Jam.
Early life and education
Dickson is the grandson of former professional footballer Ian Dickson from Dumfries. As well as playing for hometown club Queen of the South, Dickson the footballer also played for Middlesbrough and for Aston Villa; while playing for the last he set roots in Birmingham, his grandson's home town.
Dickson graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in politics in 1985. He met his wife, Melanie Bell, in Bristol around the same time. His first job in the music industry was as Press and Promotions Manager for Creation Records, and he managed bands including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Felt, Weather Prophets, My Bloody Valentine and Oasis. He also wrote freelance reviews and features as a music journalist for Melody Maker and Record Mirror.
Career
1989–2004: Recording industry
In 1989, Dickson joined Sony Music UK (then CBS Records) as a press officer, managing Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Midnight Oil, Warrant and Michael Bolton. In 1990, he moved to the Epic Records label as a marketing executive working with Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, Living Colour, Screaming Trees and Celine Dion. He became Director of International for Sony UK in 1993, overseeing global strategies for all Epic and S2 label artists, including Jamiroquai, Des'ree, Reef, Manic Street Preachers and Basia. He moved to A&M Records UK in 1994 as Director of International, looking after acts such as Chris De Burgh, Therapy, Del Amitri, The Bluetones and the Mowax label, including DJ Shadow, Money Mark and U.N.C.L.E.
In 2001, he moved to Sydney to take up the position of General Manager of Marketing for Sony BMG Australia, and remained in the role until August 2004.
2003–2004: Australian Idol
In 2003, Dickson took up his best-known role—as the "nasty" judge on Australian Idol in the first and second seasons—alongside fellow judges Marcia Hines and Mark Holden. The first series premiered on 27 July 2003 on Network Ten. Viewers initially disliked him for his insensitive, cold attitude (including controversial comments on a female contestant's weight), but towards the end of his tenure he became popular for his candid assessments of performances based on his expertise and experience within the record industry. He was also Australia's judge at the first (and so far only) World Idol in December 2003.
2005–2006: Seven Network
Near the end of the 2004 series of Australian Idol, it was announced that Dickson would be leaving the show and Network Ten to move to the Seven Network to broaden his interests as a presenter and producer. The move caused controversy at the time, as the popularity of Idol and Dickson himself were at their peak. His first role at the Seven Network in 2005 was as host of the second season of reality TV series My Restaurant Rules, succeeding Curtis Stone. Also that year he was a contestant in Dancing with the Stars, placing third.
During this time, Dickson and his business partner and manager, David Wilson, formed Watercooler Media, an independent television production company.
In December 2005, Dickson began his first stint on radio, hosting the morning show on Sydney and Melbourne radio stations Vega 95.3 and Vega 91.5, both part of the Vega radio network.
In 2006, Dickson was the host of Australian Celebrity Survivor on the Seven Network.
2007–2009: Return to Australian Idol and Network Ten
On 30 November 2006, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Dickson would return to Network Ten in 2007 to become a fourth judge on the fifth season of Australian Idol, rejoining Mark Holden, Marcia Hines and his successor Kyle Sandilands. Season five premiered on 5 August 2007.