'The X Factor' Shake-Up: Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger And Steve Jones Out (UPDATED)

UPDATE 3: Although Fox has still not had an official comment, Paula Abdul has now confirmed her departure from "X Factor." Her statement:

"Yes, it's true; I won't be returning to The X Factor next season. I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation. Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful."

UPDATE 2: Sources confirmed to E! Online that judge Paula Abdul will also not be returning to "The X Factor," leaving Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid as the only original members of the judging panel for Season 2. "She found out today," a show source told E! Online.

UPDATE 1: E! is now reporting that Nicole Scherzinger will not be returning as judge for Season 2 of "The X Factor."

"She wants to focus on her music career," their source said. "She's spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he's given her his blessing ... 'X Factor' took a lot more of her time than she ever expected. She didn't have any time really to work on her music. She was doing 'X Factor' six days a week."

This comes right after our earlier breaking news report that Steve Jones was out as "X Factor" host.

ORIGINAL: It's been rumored for a while, but now Steve Jones' future as the host of "The X Factor" is known: The Brit tweeted on Monday, definitively and quite politely, that he will not be returning for Season 2.

Back in December 2011, news of Jones' demise was a little premature, and his reps shot down the rumors immediately. But they surfaced again at the Television Critics Association press tour earlier in January 2012, when Kevin Reilly, head of Fox Entertainment, said, "Whether Steve's the guy or not, it comes under the heading of growth in general, so there will be some tweaks to the show." Reilly then added, "Hosting, as we know, it is a much harder job than meets the eye. I think everybody now has come to realize the value of Ryan Seacrest."

Earlier on Monday, Jones' now-former boss Simon Cowell was quoted in London's Daily Mirror saying: "I don’t think he did a bad job but, like 'America’s Got Talent,' there is a Brit limit on the show." A few hours later, Jones' tweet made it official.

@SteveJones
Steve Jones

I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I've had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.

January 31, 2012 12:31 am via web Reply Retweet Favorite

Now the question is: Who should replace Jones as host and Abdul and Scherzinger as judges? And are there any other changes you think they should make?

Check out our casting suggestions in this gallery, and share your own in the comments.

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Comments

[gibster1070]

10:11 PM on 05/09/2012

Simon only has one person left to fire. Himself.

[FZliveson]

12:44 PM on 02/12/2012

I am sure most of the critical posts here are substantially correct.
And, I am an often sarcastic and critical person in a world where Monsanto and Academi and political bullschmidt dominate the headlines and permeate our food supply. (Don't get me started on that may be in the skies from Geo-engeering. So, at the end of the day, when I get to see humans with talent, striving to attain notice for the hours of work and love they put into music, it is a treat to be empathic. Watching and hearing the story and sounds of Josh Krajcik and Drew Ryniewucz was a joy. 
It was nice to see Paula Abdul become more human and less zombie-like. Even Simon, the man with the fattest ego I know, shows genius and guts in going for the best, at the expense of breaking paradigms and killing sacred cow aspects of the show, that he himself created. Not for everyone or for  all the time, The X-Factor offers me far more emotional exploration and character analysis in one night than Fox News does in a lifetime.

[Greenblue]

03:41 PM on 02/04/2012

They should also getting rid of untalented, rude kids on the show and have adults perform.

[jmhhill]

08:47 PM on 02/02/2012

Rumors are not facts -- $$ figure is not believable but does get people excited and commenting on it. Thats PR folks! I had hoped the X-Factor would be a better show. The host (Jones) lacked charisma (no warmth or charm - rather stiff); I understand he was let go from the show's next season. The mentoring was rather boring and, in some cases, did not work to the advantage of the singers/gr­oups. The production­/dancers/s­taging for some of the numbers was enough to bring snickers or rolling of the eyes. BUT - the music for introducin­g the judges and winners/lo­sers was dreadful to the point of muting the sound. I fully expected the Star Ship Enterprise or Luke Skywalker with light saber flashing to come out on the stage-- pretentiou­s to the hilt. The judging of the final two was a farce -- did anyone expect the judge to vote against their own group member. The tears and "in-fighti­ng/insults­" began to wear thin quickly. I understand the broadening of the age range but, as demonstrat­ed by the past season, showed that too young lack the ability to handle rejections­. Also, groups were at a big disadvanta­ge as they had a problem building a fan base to vote for them whereas individual­s could in some ways connect with different segments of viewers. I'm afraid X-Factor didn't show that it could surpass American Idol (even though it is beginning to show some fatigue).

[fannefer]

10:06 AM on 02/02/2012

SHERYL Crow would be a great judge. Or Natalie Mains, or even another Dixie Chick. A country star would be great. As for a host, get somebody WARM -star comfort food. The best 15 seconds of x-factor was little Rachel. So there is that.

[Dacritic]

11:26 AM on 02/01/2012

Funny comments about this post on Dacritics.org

[Missy K]

11:06 AM on 02/01/2012

There is a good reason they are leaving the show and i dont think its the ones theyve given maybe they are leaving because the show sucks!

[simplyp]

10:02 AM on 02/01/2012

Bring in Justin Timberlake

[Ben Wilson]

09:40 AM on 02/01/2012

Dear Americans, lets us Brits inform you that there's always a 'massive shake up' on X Factor. Every year tries to be bigger and bolder, and the most simple of changes are painted to be something phenomenal. You get them announced before a new season and none or two during the season, it gets very frustrating, as they increasingly get further away from actually find talent that survives past a guest appearance on the following years show...and a comeback guest appearance the year after that. It's always bigger it's always better, the competition is always tougher, but the end product gets weaker.

You should hear the over announcer on the UK version, hes more excited with each passing year and it now verges on pornographic. He's clearly up to something else while he's screaming down that mic with esctasy! Seriosuly though he overplays it so much its makes the show underwhelming.
I gave up on X factor 4 years ago, I catch the odd episode, and end up slapping myself for bothering.

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

07:34 AM on 02/01/2012

The major problem of the show wasn't the judges. It was the rules. The show needs to be revamped.

[nickelpickle]

07:29 AM on 02/01/2012

They should just take the next step and cancel the show.

[coolgarfield]

10:42 PM on 01/31/2012

The show sucks, plain and simpel. The Voice is what everyoen needs 2 watch. Check out Christina. that girl got the voice and booty as well. mmm mmm good.

[gibster1070]

10:13 PM on 05/09/2012

Christina got booty all right. She got enough booty for three girls. She's mean spirited and rude to contestants who aren't on her team. Tacky.

[Uptown83]

09:06 PM on 01/31/2012

I tried to watch the first episode. The wife and I watched for about 30 minutes and all they did was focus on the cheering audience most of the time. It was rather annoying. Needless to say we changed the channel and never looked back.

[brewster65]

07:00 PM on 01/31/2012

Scherzinger is going to concentrate on her music career? WHAT music career????

[Wendy Sotirelis]

06:47 PM on 01/31/2012

LA is a stupid man, when dos he geet his walking papers ?

[mukTech]

08:04 PM on 01/31/2012

Why are you calling him a stupid man??

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

07:31 AM on 02/01/2012

What are you talking about??