Simon Cowell: Recruiting Paula Abdul

After many years together, Simon Cowell is having some trouble without Paula Abdul.

The British judge announced that he will be leaving “American Idol” at the end of the season to start a U.S. version of his U.K. hit show “The X Factor” - and he has hinted that Miss Abdul may be joining him.

"I have gone on record with this before: I adore Paula," Simon said at the Fox presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour in California on Monday."Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some way."

The outspoken judge isn’t afraid he has a special spot for Abdul, who quit after a salary dispute with producers in Augest and Ellen DeGeneres took her spot. Simon and Paula have been reported that they will be collaborating and she may be the judge on the new show out in 2011.

Season nine of Idol debuts tonight on Fox.

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