cowellidol.jpg Oh dear! First Paula and now possibly Simon?

Though Fox is close to sealing a deal for three more seasons of American Idol, it looks like they will proceed with or without Simon Cowell!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox's current contract with producers 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia extends through the end of 2011, but Cowell's brother Tony announced Tuesday on his weekly podcast that Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010! WTF?!

In addition to his brother spilling the beans, we've also been hearing buzz that Simon will quit the show after the upcoming season as he prepares to bring his hit UK music competition series X-Factor to the US. But can't he do both? I mean, Ellen and Ryan Seacrest will be juggling multiple gigs too, so why can't Simon?

But even if Simon does stay, the addition of another music competition program on Fox may result in fewer viewers watching Idol, so we're not sure what's going to happen!