While all the talk about the Idol television series has focused on Kyle Sandilands and his sacking from the Australian edition, the USA version of the show has also lost one of their judges with Paula Abdul deciding not to rejoin the show for the upcoming ninth series.

Abdul had been a judge on the hit series since its premiere in 2000, and has been one of the shows most loved figures and a personality fans and contestants could warm to.

On her personal twitter page, Adbul confirmed the rumours of her departure stating:

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol …I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from Day 1 become an international phenomenon … What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me … It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month … I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.” (That’s one very long Tweet).”

Sources have said financial disagreements between the famous pop singer and the shows producers were reasons behind the split.

The 30 per cent wage increase and eight figure salary that was put on the table was rejected by Abdul, who was asking for around $20 million to continue with the show.

While many may argue that she was asking too much, it is believed Abdul was on the lowest salary out of all the judges, earning much less than the reported $100 million Simon Cowell was pocketing each year.

American Idol will not add another judge to the panel and will go ahead with a three-man/women panel consisting of Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, who signed up for another season after joining as a fourth judge last year.

The shock announcement raises questions over the franchises future and in particular, how it will rate this year without one of the crowd favourites.

With the departure of Abdul, and after eight long series of the show, maybe now is the right time to make this year its swansong and farewell American Idol once and for all.

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