American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has admitted that she is behind the decision to hire Ellen DeGeneres as the show’s fourth judge.

“I’m a huge Ellen DeGeneres fan,” the songwriter admitted during an interview on Sirius XM’s The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick. “I think she’s going to bring so much to the show.”

“She’s somebody who loves music, she’s positive, she loves kids…She is somebody who has watched the show from the beginning, knows everything there is to know about American Idol and I think ultimately it’s going to be a great new energy.”

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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.

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Simon Cowell has admitted that he loved working with Katy Perry, when she guested on American Idol recently.

“She’s a feisty little thing,” Cowell, 49, told US TV show Extra. “She’s quirky. Definitely got her own opinion.

“Solo artists are not used to people disagreeing with them. They are feisty and I like that.

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How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris is the latest celebrity addition to the American Idol panel.

Following in the footsteps of Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry, Harris will appear alongside regulars Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi at the auditions in Dallas.

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Joe Jonas, one third of pop sensation The Jonas Brothers has been confirmed as the next guest judge on American Idol.

Since Paula Abdul vacated her seat, her role has been filled by guest celebrity judges. So far Victoria Beckham has recorded audition episodes, with Mary J Blige and Katy Perry to follow.

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Kara DioGuardi has insisted that she was not drafted onto the American Idol panel last year to replace Paula Abdul.

“The way I’m understanding it is that it was her choice to leave,” she told show host Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. “I never was here to replace her. It would be impossible to replace Paula Abdul.

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Victoria Beckham has been lined up as a celebrity guest judge on the upcoming series of American Idol and she has admitted that she is looking forward to some British banter with Simon Cowell.

“He has a very tongue-in-cheek, British sense of humour, which I have, too,” she told host Ryan Seacrest’s radio show. “I’m looking forward to a bit of banter. I hope he does give me a little bit of a hard time. I love that. I feed off of that.”

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Sources are saying that Posh Spice is being considered as a judge for next years season of American Idol.

The rumour comes just a day after Paula Abdul announced her decision to quit the show.

A source told The Sun: “Paula’s absence leaves a big gap on the judging panel. At least 25 million viewers tune in every week.

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There has been much speculation on which judges will be returning for this year’s American Idol, but reports have suggested that Kara DioGuardi WILL be back.

A show insider told Eonline:

“Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts,” a source said. “Done. She will be back.”

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Paula Abdul has denied rumours that she has received her new American Idol contract, insisting that she is still out in the cold.

Simon Cowell recently insisted that he wanted Paula back, however the former cat romancer revealed on her Twitter blog today:

“Hey guys, I have not made a deal with Idol. Don’t know how that rumour got started but it’s not true as I still haven’t heard from the producers.”

Anyone else thinking they may actually start watching the show now?

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is NOT joining the panel of American Idol according to a pal.

After reports emerged that Paula Abdul may not be returning to the show many people assumed that Cheryl, who is currently in LA, was being considered as a judge.

However a friend of Cheryl’s told Metro: “Cheryl hasn’t had any TV meetings since she’s been over there. There have never been plans for her to go on US TV. It would mean she would have to leave Britain, which she won’t do because it’s her home.

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American Idol judge Simon Cowell has insisted that Paula Abdul will be back on the show this year.

Abdul’s manager blasted the show producers recently, saying that Paula had not yet received her contract.

Speaking to Extra, fellow panellist Cowell said: “She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show. I don’t get a lot of say, I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show. Full stop.”

The show presenter Ryan Seacrest added: “I think as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

Could it be another cruel rumour or another plot from the American Idol PR machine, or can I really begin to hope that Paula Abdul may not be returning to American Idol?

Her manager, David Sonenberg seems to think she isn’t as he told the ‘Los Angeles Times’:

“Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on ‘Idol,’ ”

He revealed that Abdul had still not received her new contract for the season, despite being assured that she would be invited back.

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Simon Cowell has denied rumours that he has been offered $144 million to return to American Idol.

“I wish! Come off it. It’s absolute nonsense… crazy, crazy nonsense. Speculation. Not true. Nothing has been signed,” Simon told Extra.

“There hasn’t been a deal done. We’re talking to Fox. We have a very good relationship with them. As to what we’re going to do ongoing over a number of different bits and pieces… we’ll see… we are having conversations.”

Paula Abdul has revealed that she has been asked to stay on as a judge on American Idol and is currently renegotiating her contract.

Abdul told the AP: “I’ve been invited to stay the duration of the show, however long it lasts.

“It’s been an interesting journey. It’s something that I always would want to be a part of.”

She added: “[It's a] dysfunctional family of sorts. I’m the nurturing mom, Simon’s the disapproving dad, and Randy’s the cool brother.”