PAULA ABDUL - ABDUL EXPOSES FONDNESS FOR COWELL

PAULA ABDUL has hinted her rivalry with fellow AMERICAN IDOL judge SIMON COWELL is a sham, after heaping him with praise.

The pair have feuded throughout four seasons of the hit talent show.

But the singer has revealed affection for the sharp-tongued British record executive.

She says, "He's given a much-needed dose of reality to reality TV. Real cruelty is letting people believe in a dream they can never live up to.

"Simon's a man who gives credit where credit's due."