Steven Tyler - Steven Tyler Quits As American Idol Judge

The rocker announced the news on Thursday (12Jul12) just hours after fellow Idol judge Jennifer Lopez revealed she too was thinking about moving on during a U.S. TV breakfast interview.

In a statement, released to WENN, Tyler writes, "After some long, hard, thoughts, I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit.

"I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I'm back, but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious a**."

Tyler's band is putting the finishing touches to a new album which will be released in November (12) and Aerosmith have a major tour planned, while Lopez is just about to embark on a world tour of her own.

The news adds weight to stories suggesting former Idol favourite Adam Lambert, Miley Cyrus and Black Eyed Peas bandmates Fergie and will.i.am are being considered as judges for the show in what is considered a major shake-up.

Speaking of Tyler's decision to quit the show, Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says, "Steven Tyler is a real Idol, a rock legend. If you had told me 10 years ago he would be a judge on American Idol, I would have thought it impossible. The fact that this became a reality and we had the pleasure of him gracing our stage for two seasons makes me very proud. I completely understand his desire to get back to his life as the singer in America's greatest-ever rock band. American Idol will miss him."