Abdul to continue as American Idol judge

Paula Abdul will continue her role as a judge on the next series of American Idol despite former contestant Corey Clarke's claims he had an affair with the former 1980s popstar.

American TV network Fox Entertainment have hired an independent counsel to probe Clark's allegations, but company President Peter Ligouri remains tight-lipped over Abdul's future if the investigation concludes the sexual liaisons did take place.

He tells the New York Daily News: "I'd rather be able to come to a conclusion with the independent counsel and our production partners, and come out with a definitive answer and conclusion for you."