Paula Abdul Also Not Returning to X Factor!

Sources tell E! News that Cowell's good friend is out of next season

By Ken Baker Jan 31, 2012 5:30 AMTags
Paula AbdulJason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Talk about cleaning house!

Sources tell E! News that Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones aren't the only ones not coming back to X Factor next season.

Believe it or not, Fox has informed Simon Cowell's longtime friend Paula Abdul she won't be needed for the series' next installment.

"She found out today," says a show source. "At this point, the only ones staying are Simon and L.A. Reid."

Another source confirms to E! News that both Paula and Nicole were not renewed, "Simon wants to take the show in a different direction," says the insider.

Might Paula ultimately be brought in? Is this just a negotiating ploy? Our sources both say no, that they are moving on and, a source says, "the plan is to part ways amicably."

Nigel Lythgoe was also shocked by the news, tweeting, "Shocked to see Simon has fired Paula Abdul, Nicole and Steve from the X-Factor."

And then there were two.