AMERICAN IDOL - COWELL'S FUTURE WITH AMERICAN IDOL UNCERTAIN

Hit TV show AMERICAN IDOL is facing an uncertain future with its top critic SIMON COWELL - because he's been inundated with offers for other programmes.

The British music mogul's harsh criticism of singing hopefuls has both horrified and entertained audiences for the two series in which he has served as a judge.

But with his new dating reality show CUPID set to hit US screens this summer (03), Cowell admits he could well be looking to greener pastures if more lucrative offers are sent his way.

He says, "I've got probably more money on offer to do another job, so that's the problem.

"I made it quite clear I wouldn't do the show if I was bound to a contract. I said, 'Just take it a year at a time and if it all works out well, if you want me back, and I'm happy then we'll do a deal.' But I do not wanna be forced into doing something I don't wanna do.

"Money, of course, is a huge part of it, but it's seven, eight months' work. And the point now is, if I take this, I've gotta turn something else down."