Ellen DeGeneres to join American Idol

Ellen DeGeneresLos Angeles  - Ellen DeGeneres is to replace Paula Abdul as the fourth judge of the hit reality TV show American Idol, the talk show star has revealed.

"I'm going to have a day job and a night job," DeGeneres said on her talk show Thursday. "The times we're living in... we're all doing that.

American Idol producer Simon Fuller confirmed the appointment.

"I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family," the show's creator/executive producer said in a statement.

Abdul pulled out of the popular talent show earlier this summer after eight seasons as a judge, and following protracted contractual disputes with producers. dpa