People News

Ellen DeGeneres is new Idol judge

Sep 10, 2009, 9:16 GMT

08/30/2009 - Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres -Ellen, 51, insists she will be championing the views of the public because she doesn\'t have a musical background like the other judges. © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Ellen DeGeneres has been named the new judge of 'American Idol'.

The US talk show host is taking Paula Abdul's spot on the panel of the TV talent show, joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

She said: "I'm going to have a day job and a night job. This is so exciting for me."

Ellen, 51, insists she will be championing the views of the public because she doesn't have a musical background like the other judges.

The former stand-up comic said: "Hopefully, I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you, I sit at home and I watch it.

"I'm not looking at it in a critical way from the producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person."

Ellen will take her place on the panel after the audition rounds, where Paula's role was filled by a number of celebrity judges including Shania Twain, Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blige.

Former pop star and choreographer Paula suddenly left the show in August, shortly before the ninth series began filming, for reasons which are still unclear.

Ellen - who is married to actress Portia de Rossi - has been in talks about her new role over the last few weeks, and admits she struggled to keep it under wraps.

She added: "I've been dying to tell everyone. It's just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the OK and I'm so excited. It is going to be so much fun."