ABDUL QUITS AS JUDGE ON TV'S US IDOL.

PAULA Abdul will not be returning to American Idol, Fox Entertainment has confirmed.

Chairman Peter Rice last night told the Television Critics Association that the network had made an offer it had considered to be very fair to Abdul.

However, he said she had decided not to return as a judge on the popular singing contest.

Auditions for the ninth season of the show were set to begin today.

Mr Rice said guest judges will instead join regulars Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi during the seven weeks of try-outs.

Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry have already been confirmed as guest judges.

CAPTION(S):

GONE: Abdul