Simon Cowell has chosen a familiar friend to help judge the American version of The X Factor.

The Associated Press reported that former American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, has signed on as The X Factor's fourth judge. Abdul will join British singer Cheryl Cole, former Def Jam president L.A. Reid and Cowell on the judging panel.

Abdul also confirmed the news herself on Sunday to Reuters TV.

I'm thrilled. It's a show you don't have to calculate or guess how you're going to approach it. I walk into this, it's a new journey. It's a brand new show and a new experience, she said.

It was also announced last week that Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls and British TV personality Steve Jones will co-host the competition.

Cowell has yet to make an official comment about Abdul as a judge, though in the past he has praised her.

She's very passionate and she cares, he told People Magazine. And she has good taste in music, though you didn't always see that on TV.

The singing competition is slated to begin this fall.

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