LOS ANGELES — After months of speculation, Simon Cowell confirmed Monday that he is leaving American Idol after the upcoming season to focus on the U.S. launch of The X Factor.
"The X Factor will launch in 2011," Cowell told reporters at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif. "Because of that, this will be my last season on American Idol."
Cowell will serve as the executive producer and judge of The X Factor, a program he launched in the U.K. in 2004.
"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," the 50-year-old Cowell said in a statement. "We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this."
Cowell is the second judge to exit the hit reality series. Paula Abdul quit Idol in August and has since been replaced by talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
The ninth season of American Idol premieres Tuesday on Fox.
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