SIMON COWELL CONFIRMS LEAVING HIT SHOW

Simon Cowell

As we reported a while ago, Simon Cowell is announcing that he's quitting "American Idol" when the new season ends in May. Gossip has been flying about the music kings future on the show, with his brother Tony saying a statement would be made in the early part of 2010. He said, "A press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of (U.K. talent show) X Factor to U.S. TV in 2011." And now Cowell is confirming the news of his departure. In his statement, Cowell reveals he plans to launch his "X Factor" on U.S. TV in 2011.
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