American Idol newbie Ellen DeGeneres, has expressed concern for outgoing judge Paula Abdul, saying that she hopes she is ok with her appointment.

Ellen was announced as the fourth judge on the show yesterday, while Paula was let go just last month.

“I’m gonna have fun with it. The one thing you know about me is I’m very honest. But I think you can be honest in a pretty kind way,” she told show presenter Ryan Seacrest on his radio programme.

“I hope to be that compassionate person, ’cause that’s the one thing Paula did bring – that compassion and that empathy.”

She added: “I hope Paula is okay with it. I don’t want anybody to think that I took Paula’s job away.

“First of all, I love music, period. I’ve always loved music. And I’m a huge fan of the show; I haven’t missed a show since season one. I’m just a fan like everyone else.

“The people are the ones who choose the American Idol. It doesn’t come down to a music expert ultimately.”