Abdul 'in talks with Idol rival'

Abdul had been a judge on American Idol for eight years

Paula Abdul may join a rival TV talent show following her exit from American Idol, according to US media reports.

The star met Nigel Lythgoe, producer of hit series So You Think You Can Dance, just days after announcing her decision to quit American Idol.

Lythgoe confirmed the talks to trade paper Variety and said there was "no question" he wanted to sign Abdul.

He said he knew of nobody else with her "experience of being a dancer, of being a choreographer and of being a judge."

Abdul began her career as a cheerleader for the LA Lakers, before going on to choreograph for Janet and Michael Jackson.

She was like my best buddy on the show. You only realise how much you miss somebody when you're not there Simon Cowell arrives for his first American Idol show without Abdul

She also launched her own pop career in 1989, scoring global hits with Straight Up and Opposites Attract.

Lythgoe - best known in the UK from the Pop Stars TV series - said he had not necessarily approached Abdul with an eye to her becoming a permanent judge on So You Think You Can Dance, raising the possibility that she would have a recurring role as either a guest judge or a choreographer.

However, he said it was too soon to rule out the star returning to American Idol.

"Until Idol goes on the air, there's always an opportunity for negotiation," he said, adding later: "I don't think it's a publicity stunt."

Mourning

Victoria Beckham stepped into Abdul's shoes for this weekend's Idol auditions

Abdul had been a judge on American Idol for eight years, and was renowned for her over-the-top positivity, which often clashed with Simon Cowell's cantankerous, no-nonsense attitude.

She announced her departure via Twitter on Tuesday, writing: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return."

The first auditions to be held in her absence took place in Denver, Colorado, this weekend, with Victoria Beckham stepping into the vacant space.

Judge Kara DioGuardi wore a black dress for filming, and said she was "in mourning" for her colleague.

"She was really the heart of the show, incredibly nurturing to the contestants," she said.

"She was like my best buddy on the show," added Cowell. "And you only realise how much you miss somebody when you're not there. I am sad."

Executives at TV network Fox said they intend to find a permanent replacement for Abdul before January, when the live element of the show starts broadcasting.

Peter Rice, chairman for entertainment, told a meeting of the Television Critics Association he wanted to find a judge who was "fun and energising and creates some real chemistry between the people on the panel".