TV host Ellen DeGeneres, seen in 2009, says American Idol wasn't 'the right fit' because she found it 'difficult to judge people.'TV host Ellen DeGeneres, seen in 2009, says American Idol wasn't 'the right fit' because she found it 'difficult to judge people.' (Dan Steinberg/Associated Press)

Serving as an American Idol judge wasn't "the right fit," Ellen DeGeneres revealed, amid rampant speculation that actress and pop star Jennifer Lopez is to take the talk show host's place on the blockbuster TV talent contest.

DeGeneres, a former comedian and current host of a daytime talk show, confirmed in a statement Thursday that she was leaving American Idol after just one year on the judging panel.

Her departure follows that of original judge Simon Cowell, who left at the end of last season to work on The X-Factor, a new reality TV talent contest he is producing.

"A couple months ago, I let [U.S. network] Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," DeGeneres said in a statement issued Thursday.

As news of the talk show host's departure spread, reports also began to surface about recording artist, actress and former backup dancer Lopez being close to signing a deal to take a spot on the hit singing competition.

Lopez, most recently seen in the romantic comedy The Backup Plan and heard on her 2010 album Love?, has previously served as a guest mentor on Idol.

Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has also been rumoured as a new judge for the show.

'Difficult to judge people'

While DeGeneres "loved discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent," she also acknowledged that she found it difficult "to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."

Though popular as a talk show host and a frequent champion of amateur performers on YouTube, DeGeneres drew criticism for her lack of music world expertise when she was chosen to join Idol after the departure of another original judge, Paula Abdul.

She nonetheless started her own record label earlier this year, saying she was inspired by a pre-teen piano and singing sensation named Greyson Chance — with the 12-year-old as her debut artist.

Though the viewership for Idol has fallen in recent years, it is still considered a ratings behemoth.

Auditions for the show's upcoming season have begun, with episodes featuring the judges to begin filming in September.

With files from The Associated Press