Simon Cowell says he will instead serve as executive producer and judge on the American version of his hit UK show “The X-Factor,” which will begin filming in 2011. The show will run on the Fox Network.

“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of ‘The X Factor’ and delighted to be continuing to work with Fox,” Cowell said via statement. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this.

“We have had a very successful relationship with Simon Cowell for many years,” Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, said. “And we’re absolutely delighted to continue our relationship with him. ‘The X Factor’ has been a massive success around the world, and we can’t wait to bring it to the U.S. in 2011.’”

“There’s been a lot of speculation partly because we didn’t have an agreement. We reached an agreement at half past 10 this morning. Where we have come to is ‘X Factor’ will launch in 2011 with me judging and producing the show. So this will be my last season on ‘American Idol,’” Cowell said at a press event in Los Angeles Monday, Deadline.com reported.

The announcement comes a day before the ratings juggernaut begins its ninth season. Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres will debut Tuesday as the fourth judge, replacing Paula Abdul. Producer Kara DioGuardi joined the judging panel last season to mixed reviews. There’s More!

Simon Cowell wants to create a cartoon series.

The music mogul – who earned an estimated $75 million last year – is a big fan of animated show ‘The Simpsons’ but admits he is jealous of its worldwide success.

He said: “Their appeal is broad and it makes a lot of money. You kind of hate them for making so much money. It makes me physically sick knowing how much money they have made over the years. Maybe I should start a cartoon one day.”

Simon, 50, has previously made cameo appearances on the show – but admits he only took part to preserve his youth.

He explained on TV show ‘The Simpsons: Celebrity Friends’: “It’s the best thing to get the call. You last forever and are young forever on that show, so I love it. The only reason for doing it is to look good and stay young forever.”

The ‘American Idol’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ star recently signed up to make another appearance on the cartoon, despite admitting his last appearance didn’t go well.

He said: “They obviously hated me as I had to do it over and over again. I could actually feel the rolling of eyeballs. It was like, ‘After take 57 Simon could we have a little bit more reality?’ It was painful.”

Source, Fame Pictures

Simon Cowell was given a £500,000 painting for Christmas.

The music mogul – who runs record label Syco – was treated to an original painting by British graffiti artist Banksy, to replicate one of the 50-year-old TV personality’s favorite artworks .

The artist – who is known for his stencil-style public pieces – superimposed Simon’s head on a reproduction of Degas’ 1874 creation, Rehearsal Of The Ballet On Stage.

A source told the Daily Mirror, “Record label execs wanted something unique to give Simon. He’s a secret art collector and loves Degas – plus he’s a huge fan of Banksy. So they got Banksy to mock up one of Degas’ most famous works. In the picture, it looks like Simon’s deciding whether or not the girl has the ‘X Factor’.

“He took one look at it and declared it ‘hilarious’.”

The 50-year-old ‘X Factor’ judge’s record company has achieved massive profits this year after Syco acts Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Alexandra Burke sold millions of LPs worldwide.

Despite Simon’s celebrity status, executives at his label had a hard time persuading Banksy to help them out.

The source explained: “Banksy rarely does private commissions so it was a real coup by record label bosses to secure his services. They are very pleased with what he created.”

Simon has hung the painting at his luxurious London home, and has already had two prints made up for his houses in Barbados and Los Angeles.

Source, Bauer-Griffin

American Idol isn’t the same without Paula Abdul, says Simon Cowell.

On the Fox show’s upcoming ninth season, judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi return – along with celeb guest judges, including Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain and Katy Perry.

Cowell, 49, tells Extra the show is now “different. It’s like comparing a carrot to a banana.”

Though the judge says he doesn’t want to “get in the middle” of Idol execs and Abdul, 47, he says, “I miss her.”

He adds that Abdul – who denied to TV Guide that she left the show over money – is “someone who will always work.”

So what’s next for Abdul?

“I definitely want to do a talk show because it would be different,” says Abdul, who has shot a guest role on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva and will host VH1′s Divas Live Sept. 17. “It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Victoria Beckham plans to be the nice judge when it comes to critiquing contestants on American Idol — but she expects to trade some not-so-nice barbs with prickly judge Simon Cowell.

“I like that fact that’s he’s honest. I think he’s very funny,” Beckham told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Friday. “He has a very tongue-in-cheek British sense of humor, which I have too. 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.”

Beckham, 35, says she doesn’t know Cowell well, but has one very pointed memory of him. “He is the only man in the music industry who turned down the Spice Girls and said we would never work,” Beckham said with a laugh.

Asked if she plans follow in the footsteps of Paula Abdul, who’s always been the most kind and nurturing judge on the show, Beckman says, “I want to be nice to people. I know how it feels to stand there and be judged … I don’t want to shatter anybody’s dream, but at the same time there’s nothing wrong with constructive criticism.”

As for whether she feels guilty replacing Abdul, she says, “I don’t. I’m a spiritual person and I believe that you get back whet you put out there, and I hope she does something that is bigger and better …. There’s something great for her around the corner, I’m sure.”

So how should prospective contestants aim to please Posh Spice? “What I’m looking for [in an Idol winner] is a great singer and somebody who has that star quality. It’s about the whole package.”

One other quality the fashion-savvy star would like to see: a contestant who possesses “natural style.”

Beckham is currently in Denver, where she’s set to participate in the first round of auditions for the upcoming season of American Idol.

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Despite word that Paula Abdul likely won’t appear on American Idol next season, fellow judge Simon Cowell isn’t worried.

“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show,” he tells Extra. “I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show.”

Added host Ryan Seacrest (who just inked a $45 million, three-year contract): “I think as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

David Sonenberg, Abdul’s manager, raised concern over the weekend, telling the Los Angeles Times that the singer-dancer hasn’t been offered a contract yet.

“She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on. She’s hurt,” he told the paper.

Meanwhile, a grass-roots “Keep Paula” campaign has launched on Twitter to keep Abdul on the show.

Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai and Danny Gokey — who are now on the Idol live tour – are among the alums who’ve taken time out to join the campaign.

Over the weekend, Abdul took to her Twitter page to thank fans for standing by her.

She wrote: “I”m actually moved 2 tears upon reading the enormous amount of tweets showing me your kindness, love & undying support. God bless all you! If it weren’t for you, this specific time and situation would feel a lot worse! XoP”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Security guards had to restrain a female fan after she tried to accost a stunned Simon Cowell on the set of Britan’s got talent earlier this week.

“”All the girls in the crowd got excited when Simon wound his car window down to wave at them, but one went too far and actually tried to stop him from leaving.  Security had to pull her away from his vehicle and hold her against the ground to let Simon out safely.”

This most recent incident comes after Simon’s girlfriend Terri Seymour was attacked by a fan outside of the American Idol studios.

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photo: Bauer-Griffin