Simon Cowell has denied reports that he plans to take a back seat during his final season of American Idol.

Simon recently announced that he will be leaving the show to concentrate on his new X Factor series, due to launch in 2011.

When asked if he plans to let the other judges rule the roost during the live shows Simon told reporters:

That would be impossible. I’ll keep my seat, hopefully be the last one to speak. I want to go out on a high, I’ve said this over and over again. It’s my last season and I’ll do everything I can to make the last season successful.