If Paula Abdul`s public announcement via Twitter that she was not returning to Idol was a negotiation ploy, then it has blown up in her face.
Fox chairman Peter Rice has confirmed that Abdul has left the building.At a press conference in LA today he said, "We love Paula. She's been clearly wonderful on the show for eight years and was an important part of the 'Idol' family. There's going to be a change. It wasn't a decision we made. But now that the decision's been made, we have to look at it in a positive way. We have to look at it as an opportunity for the show to bring a different energy to it and an energy that can be entertaining for the public."
It is believed that Fox offered Abdul a 30% pay rise and a multi year deal to stay. This would have given her more than $10m a year.
In place of Abdul, Idol will feature guest judges. Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry will each appear on one show in coming weeks.
