Paula Abdul agrees to three more years of Idol

LOS ANGELES - Bubbly American Idol judge Paula Abdul has signed on for three more years as the counterpoint to brutally honest Simon Cowell.

Abdul, a Grammy-winning singer and dancer and the show's lone female judge, has become a fan favorite for her effusive, sometimes fawning praise of show's aspiring stars in the face of bad boy Cowell's punishing critiques.

"Paula's warm and nurturing nature is vital to the balance of the show," Fox spokesman Mike Darnell said of Abdul, who is expected to join Cowell and judge Randy Jackson for the duration of her new contract.

"We are thrilled to have her alongside - or actually in between - Randy and Simon," Darnell said in a statement.

The announcement comes less than a year after an internal investigation by Fox found no evidence to support claims by a former "Idol" contestant Corey Clark that he had a sexual affair with Abdul, 43, and that she coached him privately.

"It is truly an honour to be a part of the American Idol phenomenon," Abdul said in a written statement. "As an artist myself it is a pleasure to have a connection with each of the contestants and be able to fully support their dreams and aspirations.

"Of course, I also look forward to putting Simon in his place for years to come."

Idol, airing two or three nights a week this year, has grown into a ratings juggernaut for Fox and dominated US television in prime time, overshadowing the hottest series of rival networks and even big-event broadcasts like the Grammy Awards and Winter Olympics.

- REUTERS