Chris Daughtry is convinced ‘American Idol’ will be back in a different form.
The Daughtry frontman – who came fourth on the fifth season of the talent show – doesn’t think the programme is over for good, despite it recently ending after 15 seasons.
He said: "From the day that they said they were cancelling, I’ve said that I think that they will repackage it another way. My theory is that it’s coming through."
The 36-year-old rocker returned to the show for a "bittersweet" appearance on the final episode, and felt very "proud" to be back.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It was cool to be back, I was happy to be a part of the last episode, I’m proud of the history I have with the show. Always happy to be back. It was bittersweet."
Since leaving the show, the rocker has gone on to sell millions of records and, 10 years after finding fame, his group have released their first greatest hits compilation, ‘It’s Not Over…The Hits So Far’, and Chris is pleased to have proven Simon Cowell – who famously rejected him on his first ‘Idol’ audition – wrong, though he insists he never bore a grudge against him.
He said: "I’ve never felt salty towards him. I ran into him later that day after the auditions and I said I proved you wrong and he smiled.
"I took it as a challenge and I’ve never been one to hear criticism, I try to find out what they’re really trying to say and work on it.
"Looking back on the audition, I 100 per cent agree with him. I wasn’t being entertaining, I was used to being in a band. I was awkward. It was pretty daunting."
Daughtry tour the UK later this month.
Daughtry UK Tour dates:
May 21, Birmingham, O2 Academy
May 22, Manchester, Academy
Mar 24, Glasgow, O2 ABC
May 25, Glasgow, O2 ABC
May 27, London, Eventim Apollo