American Idol judge Randy Jackson has admitted that he will miss his ‘best friend’ Simon Cowell, when he leaves the show next year.

Simon has previously revealed that this will be his final Idol season, as he prepares to launch an American version of his X Factor show stateside in 2011.

Admitting that he will miss his pal, Jackson told MTV:

“Listen, he’s my best friend … one of my best friends in the world. The guy is über smart. He looks at the whole picture. He looks at life on the show in a way no one else looks [at it]. I love him. I’m just gonna miss sitting next to him, learning from him.”

Asked about who will eventually replace Simon on the judging panel, Randy added:

“I don’t think you can replace him. I think you move with somebody different in that seat. It’s a tough thing. We’ve been talking about it. We’ll see where we end up.”