Fox TV probe clears "American Idol" star Abdul

LOS ANGELES - A probe by the Fox television network has found no evidence to support claims by a former contestant on the hit television talent show "American Idol," that he had had a sexual affair with judge Paula Abdul.

The investigation also found that Abdul had not given Corey Clark any special help with his songs, wardrobe or any related matters, Fox said in a statement.

Abdul, a former pop star with hits like "Straight Up" in the late 1980s, has denied she had a sexual relationship with Clark or aided the singer on the show.

In a statement released late Friday, Abdul said she was "grateful this ordeal is over."

A spokesman for Clark had no immediate comment as he had not yet seen the Fox statement.

When Clark, 25, first made the claims in May of a relationship with Abdul, the news generated controversy around "American Idol," which is the most watched show on US television and has launched careers for singers like Kelly Clarkson.

Clark had said in an interview with the ABC television network that Abdul, 43, coached him privately on his singing, gave him money for expensive clothes and began a platonic relationship that soon turned sexual.

Fox said in its statement that Abdul acknowledged she had phone conversations with Clark while he was a contestant, but she denied the talks were related to her giving assistance.

Abdul's and Clark's accounts of the phone calls "differ greatly and no evidence was uncovered to resolve the conflicts in their accounts," Fox said.

The network's probe was conducted by lawyers at independent firms, required almost 600 hours of work and spanned more than 3 1/2 months.

Clark was kicked off "American Idol" in 2003 for failing to disclose that he faced criminal charges of battery and resisting arrest that stemmed from a fight with his sister.

- REUTERS