Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol
Simon Cowell has announced he's quitting talent show "American Idol" when the new season ends in May.
X Factor, the British talent series Simon produces, will come to Fox in fall 2011, in a deal reached at 11:30 a.m. PT today and that Cowell signed on stage during the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif. Simon will appear as a judge, and "because of that, this will be my last season on American Idol," he said. "I don't think it was right to do two shows in America."
Might an American X Factor bring a reunion with former Idol judge Paula Abdul? "I adore Paula. Whatever happens I will be working with her in some capacity," he said.
“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of The X Factor, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX,” Cowell said in a statement. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this.”
"Simon is irreplaceable, but it's incumbent on us to make Idol vibrant and entertaining," says Fox entertainment chairman Peter Rice.
"I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than it was before," Simon said. "I never would have wanted to walk out when the show is No. 21 in the ratings; you want to leave on a high."
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