Idol man insists on Abdul affair

Paula Abdul had transatlantic hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s

American Idol judge Paula Abdul had an affair with singer Corey Clark while he was a contestant on the talent show, he has claimed in a US TV interview.

Clark, 24, told ABC's Primetime Live that Abdul, 42, secretly coached him before he was ejected from the 2003 series for hiding an arrest record.

Idol network Fox said it would "look into any evidence of improper conduct".

Last week Abdul said Clark was "an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities".

'Better song choices'

Clark said Abdul gave him money for clothes and a haircut before he was disqualified from the show in April 2003.

"So she was like, 'You got to have better song choices, and I want to help you do that. I want to look after you like - like I'm your mom,'" Clark said.

"And then she was like, 'Well, more like your sister,'" he added. "And then she was like, 'Well, maybe more like your special friend.'"

Fox said Clark never notified the network or producers of any concerns about the show despite "multiple opportunities" to do so.

In a statement on the American Idol website it added that the public should "carefully examine Mr Clark's motives, given his apparent desire to exploit his prior involvement with American Idol for profit and publicity".

Before becoming an American Idol judge, Abdul was a pop star with transatlantic hits including Straight Up, Opposites Attract and Rush Rush. She also co-wrote Kylie Minogue's 2000 hit Spinning Around.

Clark was ejected from the talent show in 2003 for failing to disclose that he faced criminal charges of battery and resisting arrest after a fight with his sister. He pleaded no contest to the charges.

Now in its fourth season, American Idol attracts an average of nearly 28 million viewers for its weekly broadcast. It latest winner will be chosen and awarded a record contract on 25 May.