| Wednesday 22 September 2010 |
|
Stephen Tyler and Jennifer Lopez join American Idol
|  | | Jennifer Lopez | Aerosmith frontman Stephen Tyler and singer Jennifer Lopez will be judges on the forthcoming 10th series of American Idol, it has been announced. The new line-up was announced by presenter Ryan Seacrest at a press conference in Los Angeles.
Of the original four judges, only record producer Randy Jackson remains. Simon Cowell quit the programme in May to concentrate on a US version of his show The X Factor, while comedienne Ellen DeGeneres left in July. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi was the last member of the panel to quit, announcing her decision to stand down earlier this month.
Lopez and Tyler had both been rumoured to be joining the long-running reality show for several weeks. According to People magazine, Lopez - who has had chart hits with Love Don't Cost A Thing and Ain't It Funny - will be paid $12m (£7.7m) for her role on the show. "We're looking for the next Michael Jackson," she told the audience at the televised press conference.
This year's American Idol finale was the lowest rated since the first series in 2002, with 24.2m tuning in to see former paint salesman Lee DeWyze take the crown. But the programme remains the most-watched TV show in the US. The new three judge panel sees the programme revert to its original format - when Jackson and Cowell were joined by singer and choreographer Paula Abdul.
The singing contest is expected to return to US television in January 2011. It is broadcast on ITV2 in the UK. (BBC News)
|
