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American Idol 9

Ellen DeGeneres "Very, very sad" about Simon Cowell's 'Idol' exit

By Christopher Rocchio, 01/12/2010

Ellen DeGeneres' first official day as an American Idol judge just so happened to coincide with Simon Cowell inking a deal with Fox that will end his judging role on the reality series following its ninth season.

"He announced he's leaving on my first day. I'm trying not to take it personally," joked DeGeneres during Monday's taping of her The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which aired Tuesday.

"Seriously, I'm going to be very, very sad to see him go, because I think he has made the show what it is. I think Simon Cowell is a huge part of that show."

More American Idol 9 News

The much-rumored deal between Cowell and Fox -- which will include him launching his British The X Factor reality competition series for the network in Fall 2011 -- was finally formally inked in front of reporters at the Television Critics Association's press tour on Monday.

American Idol's ninth-season "Hollywood Round" is taking place this week, and it will represent the first time DeGeneres sits down along side Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi after being tapped by Fox to replace Paula Abdul in September.

DeGeneres recently joked that she had no interest in serving as a judge "without Simon."

(Photo credit Fox)

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