Mara 'drunk' on painkillers

Johannesburg - Could it be that Mara Louw was drunk?

This is what a well-known radio DJ and countless Idols viewers were wondering when the controversial judge appeared "disorientated" during Sunday night's broadcast – and even used the f-word.

Lani Lombard, M-Net's communications manager, said Louw had been affected by painkillers she took for a broken bone in her foot.

"She took a strong painkiller which affected her more than usual because she was exhausted."

Even 94.7 DJ Mark Pilgrim lashed out at Mama Mara, as she is also known, saying on Twitter it wasn't difficult to see which Idols judge was "drunk like a skunk".

Viewers aired their opinions on the official Idols page on Facebook.

"Mara looks drunk... sounds drunk... is drunk," reads one of the many comments.

"I hope you have a hangover from hell after Sunday," Melanie-Ann Diesel wrote on the Facebook page.

People also posted responses to Louw's behaviour on the official Idols website: "Was Mama Mara drunk tonight (Sunday)?" Shirene Knoesen Dovey wanted to know.

Louw also swore during filming, for which she later apologised.