Kara DioGuardi has insisted that American Idol will survive without Simon Cowell.

Kara, who just joined the judging panel last year, said that Idol will still be the same show that people love and still enable people to have their dream.

DioGuardi said: “I think that everybody loves the show because of what it stands for. It enables people who would never have the opportunity to have a shot at their dream. I think that’s really powerful.

“People also fall in love with the contestants and their stories and the fact that you want to root for them every week. I don’t see that changing. I don’t see people not wanting to see that next year.”

She added: “And even Simon has said that he believes the show will go on to be successful. Of course we’ll miss him.

“He’s a great judge. I mean, he’s so unique and he says things in a way that I couldn’t even imagine. I love his intonations and the way he rolls his eyes. I mean, it’s hilarious. But at the same time, the show will stand on its own.”