American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest has admitted that he has been saddened by the news that Paula Abdul won’t be returning to the show.

Paula announced on Twitter this morning that she wouldn’t be back, Ryan responded to the news on his Twitter account saying:

“[I was] about to go to sleep when I started seeing my blackberry blow up,” he wrote. “I have read what u have read and I am shocked and saddened about paula. Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons…

“I can’t imagine the panel without puala [sic]. She’s a star @ a great friend.”