AMERICAN IDOL - SEACREST SHOCKED OVER ABDUL

SEACREST SHOCKED OVER ABDUL

AMERICAN IDOL host RYAN SEACREST was left stunned after hearing PAULA ABDUL has quit her judging slot on the hit TV show.
The 47 year old announced on her Twitter.com blog on Tuesday (04Aug09) that she would be not returning to the U.S. singing contest.
She had been in negotiations with TV executives to renew her contract for the 2010 season - but after she reportedly demanded $20 million (£13.3 million) to stay on the show, talks broke down.
Fans launched a campaign to keep Abdul on the judging panel - alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi - but she has now confirmed her decision to leave the contest "with sadness".
Seacrest heard the news when his phone was bombarded with calls informing him of Abdul's resignation on Tuesday night (04Aug09), shortly after she announced the move.
Taking to his own Twitter.com blog, Seacrest writes: "About to go to sleep when I started seeing my blackberry blow up. I have read what u (sic) have read and I am shocked and saddened about Paula. Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons... I can't imagine the panel without Paula. She's a star... a great friend."