Entertainment

Cowell leaving ‘Idol’ after this season

PASADENA, Calif. — Acerbic judge Simon Cowell said Monday that the current season of “American Idol” will be his last, a Fox spokesperson confirmed to NewsCore.

Cowell is exiting “Idol” before he launches a U.S. version of “The X Factor,” a talent show currently shown in 17 nations worldwide, Fox announced Monday. Cowell will serve as executive producer and a judge on the U.S. show, which will launch in the fall of 2011.

“There’s been a lot of speculation partly because we didn’t have an agreement. We reached an agreement at half past 10 this morning. Where we have come to is X Factor will launch at 11 in 2011 with me judging and producing the show. So this will be my last season on American Idol,” Cowell said at a press event in Los Angeles Monday, Deadline.com reported.

WILL ANYONE WATCH ‘IDOL’ WITHOUT SIMON?

PAGE SIX: PIERS MORGAN LIKELY REPLACEMENT

The announcement comes a day before the ratings juggernaut begins its ninth season. Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres will debut Tuesday as the fourth judge, replacing Paula Abdul. Producer Kara DioGuardi joined the judging panel last season to mixed reviews.

Late last week, fellow judge Randy Jackson said he was skeptical of talk that Cowell would leave his signature show.

“Until I really hear it from him, I’m not going to believe any rumors or believe anything,” Jackson told MTV.com Friday. “There’s so many rumors and speculation about everything going on.”