It's Official. Simon and Paula Are Reuniting

It’s now official. Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul will reunite on “The X Factor” this fall…

FOX sent out the official press release about 30 minutes ago.

Simon issued the following statement: “This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this - I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show.”

Paula said in the release: “I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again...but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”

Reports over the weekend said negotiations were coming down to the wire before the show’s first taping of auditions today. Some reports had the language from Paula’s CBS contract threatening to keep her from joining “Factor.”

I couldn’t be happier about this development and look forward to hearing reports of the first Simon-Paula disagreement…

The news comes on the heels of FOX announcing the show’s hosts will be Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls) and Steve Jones. Jones is a well-known host in the UK. “The Hollywood Reporter” reported that Corbin Bleu (“High School Musical”) did audition for the job, but Simon didn’t think he had the right chemistry with Scherzinger.

Photo Credit: Michael Becker/FOX