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UPDATE: Paula Abdul is leaving too, according to Deadline While he’s at it, Simon Cowell should fire himself.

A Simon Cowell insider just told me that his longtime friend and American Idol colleague Paula Abdul won’t be returning as an X Factor judge next season. I understand from sources that none of the three left on their own accord and that it was cleaning house day at the so-so rated show. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any backlash against Simon because of Paula’s popularity.

This? Really really surprises me.  On one hand, Simon was always loyal to Paula. But on the other hand, the duo really have not been able to recapture their Idol chemistry on the new show.

UPDATE: FOX Confirms to The Hollywood Reporter that Nicole is leaving the show.

UPDATE: According to EOnline, Nicole Scherzinger is also not coming back to X Factor, but her people are spinning it like it’s her decision:

“She wants to focus on her music career,” a source said. “She’s spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he’s given her his blessing”

“X Factor took a lot more of her time than she ever expected,” the source said. “She didn’t have any time really to work on her music. She was doing X Factorsix days a week.”

Of course he gave her his “blessing”. She quit before she had a chance to be fired, I would imagine.

Steve Jones announces on twitter that he’s out as X Factor host:

Steve tweets:

I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.

Can’t say I’m surprised. Simon told the press after a lackluster first season of X Factor wrapped that he planned a blood bath before the 2nd season.   Steve’s ouster is only the first of many changes I’m sure.

Poor too-tall Steve. It was so obvious that he did not feel comfortable on that stage, with producers screaming in his ear, the judges fighting, and contestants having meltdowns on stage. He just could not think fast enough on his feet.

I say…bring on an American!  Somebody who can connect to viewers.  The last thing I want to be thinking about while I’m watching a competition reality show is how freaking uncomfortable the host seems. He/she is supposed to be helping ME feel comfortable, not to mention the judges and contestants around him/her.