Simon Cowell has tweeted that he will officially be joining the cast of "America's Got Talent" for next year's series, replacing current judge Howard Stern and confirming a leaked email that last year revealed he was angling for the role.
Stern decided earlier not to sign on for another year of the show as he decides what's next for his future.
Cowell, who is currently appearing on the latest edition of the UK's "X Factor" talent competition, tweeted:
"The good news is 'America's Got Talent' is back next year and the even better news is so am I!"
The good news is America’s Got Talent is back next year and the even better news is so am I!
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) October 22, 2015
Speculation has been rife that Cowell would be replacing Stern, who announced recently that although he had been offered the chance to return, he would be leaving the show while he decides what his next move will be. Stern's latest five-year contract at SiriusXM radio expires at the end of the year.
Cowell was embarrassed last year when emails by Sony executives, leaked in the company's hacking scandal, revealed that he was angling to replace Stern last year, even before Stern had expressed any thoughts of leaving the talent competition.
The British TV mogul argued to Sony execs that, with him on board, the show could be moved back to L.A. where it is cheaper to produce. Even though Cowell is a part owner of the show, AGT stuck with Howard. Cowell has not been seen regularly on American TV since 2013, when his U.S. version of "X Factor" flopped spectacularly and was cancelled by Fox after just two seasons.
Avoiding any mention of the leaked email, Cowell stated after the tweet:
"About five or six years ago, I was offered the chance to be on the show and, at the time, I couldn't do it. But I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't able to. For the years (Howard) was on the show, he did a great job. I think at the point we really knew Howard wasn't going to come back, we then had serious conversations with NBC. I thought, 'I think this is the right time.' So, I'm excited about it."
Cowell says he expects the show to move back to L.A., and although he sang praises for the other current judges, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel, he said it's just too early to determine whether they will return to join him on the panel.
