Thursday, 10 September 2009

SEE VIDEO Ellen DeGeneres confirmed as new American Idol judge

TV host will replace Paula Abdul

Ellen DeGeneres will continue to present her chat show

Ellen DeGeneres is joining American Idol as a permanent judge.

The TV host will take over from Paula Abdul, 47, who quit the hit US show in August over a rumoured pay dispute.

‘Ellen DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition,’ network Fox confirms in a statement.

Ellen, 51, will make her first appearance during the live shows in January.

Shania Twain, Victoria Beckham, Mary J Blige, Joe Jonas and Katy Perry have acted as guest judges for the audition stages.

‘I've been dying to tell everyone,’ Ellen tells her audience during The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which will air in the States today.

‘It's just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the OK and I'm so excited. It is going to be so much fun.’

Executive producer Simon Fuller adds: ‘Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel.’

SEE VIDEO Ellen DeGeneres announce she’s the new American Idol judge…

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