Ellen DeGeneres in early exit from American Idol

The US comedian Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed that she is leaving her role as a judge on American Idol after just one season, with singer Jennifer Lopez tipped to replace her. DeGeneres's early exit sees the popular comic and talk show host walk away from a five-year contract worth tens of millions of dollars.
 
Last night, after days of rumours about her future on the show, DeGeneres released a statement saying that she was leaving because it "didn't feel like the right fit for me".  
 
DeGeneres said that she had broached the subject of her departure with producers more than two months ago, claiming that she had found it difficult to fit her Idol commitments around her top-rating daytime talk show. She was also uncomfortable with the task of castigating wannabe pop singers. "While I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent," she said, "it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."
 
DeGeneres had been brought in for the show's ninth season as a replacement for the singer Paula Abdul, who left last August after a pay dispute.
 
But although DeGeneres is one of the most popular women on US television - as well as one of the most high-profile openly lesbian entertainers - her tenure on American Idol was controversial, mainly because of her lack of background in the music industry.
 
The comedian was constantly criticised by ardent Idol fans and was also rumoured to be unhappy working with Simon Cowell, the show's caustic and most high-profile judge who left the show in May. According to Deadline.com, DeGeneres is said to be "thrilled and relieved" she has got out of her contract
 
The departure of both DeGeneres and Cowell comes as American Idol producers look to overhaul the show for its upcoming 10th season. Jennifer Lopez is said to be waiting in the wings as a new judge and the Latino singer and actress is arguably a more suitable choice as 'the new Paula Abdul'. Deadline.com claims J-Lo has brokered a deal with Fox but the network is yet to confirm it.  
 
The Hollywood website also speculates that "everyone associated with the show wants Elton John" to replace Cowell, but that "he's asking for too much money and has too many touring commitments he can't get out of".
 
Meanwhile another Brit, the TV producer Nigel Lythgoe, one of the show's original executives, is said to be in negotiations to return to the series. Should that happen, the remaining judges, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, will not be feeling so secure in their seats. Earlier this year Lythgoe - who was dubbed 'Nasty Nigel' during his reign as a judge on the UK show Popstars - said that if he were back in charge, he would replace every judge on the show. ·