Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol After Season 9 in 2010 – Hit or Miss?

After 9 years judging wanna-be big singers on American Idol, Simon Cowell has decided Season 9 will be his last and he will leave the show when Season 9 ends in May 2010.

Simon Cowell’s brother Tony Cowell broke the news with a bold statement during his weekly podcast. Talking about Simon’s shows such as Britain’s Got Talent, American Idol and The X Factor, Tony revealed some interesting tidbits, including how Season 9 of American Idol will be Simon Cowell’s last as he leaves it to make time to launch the U.S. version of The X Factor in 2011.

Simon also confirmed that X Factor will go ahead next year on ITV. Tony reveals that the official press statement is being prepared at the moment which will announce Simon’s exit from American Idol. Tony says Simon will leave in order to concentrate on bringing the American version of The XFactor to the U.S.A. in 2011.

In his podcast, Tony Cowell says, “Meanwhile, Simon prepares for a new season of Idol, or should I say, his LAST season of Idol. Okay, I will. Because it is. As I sit here in the sunny Caribbean with my family, a press statement is being prepared, which will confirm what everyone expected.Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010, to concentrate on bringing the American version of The XFactor to U.S. TV in 2011. As for the panel, well, we’ll have to wait a few months yet, to get the answer I know you want.”