Paula Abdul quits American Idol

American Idol judge Paula Abdul is quitting the TV singing contest after eight years.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the 47-year-old said: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return."

She did not give any reasons for her decision which ends weeks of speculation about contract talks and her future on the show

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest said on his Twitter page that he was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

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