Paula Abdul likely leaving American Idol

After months of speculation former singer Paula Abdul may be leaving American Idol, although not on her own terms.

David Sonenberg, Paula’s manager, is reported to have told The Times that despite Paula wanting to return to the show there has been no new contract offered to her by Idol producers FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment.

“Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on ‘Idol’,” Sonenbe said in a statement. “I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do.”

Co-host Randy Jackson is on contract until 2011, Simon Cowell has one year left on his contract, and Ryan Seacrest is reported to have signed a new contract for a staggering $45 million. The show recruited new judge Kara DioGuardi last season, and after a year of four judges the rumor mill has strongly speculated that one would go. A similar attempt to use four judges on the Australian version of the show “Australia Idol” resulted in a cut to three after one season in 2007.