The announcement came last night from American Idol, that the Emmy award winning telly show host had got Paula’s old job and was joining the judges. The ninth season of American Idol premieres in January 2010 on FOX. And the lovely lesbian Ellen DeGeneres will join the judges’ panel after the auditions, which will feature appearances by guest judges Victoria ‘POSH’ Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text my vote.”

On her TV show, she commented “Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her syndicated talk show Thursday. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

Simon Fuller, the creator and exec producer was equally happy with the news, “I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the American Idol family. Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”

Ellen’s career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime’s “Funniest Person In America” honor. She began her acting career in television on the sitcom “Open House.” then moved on to “Laurie Hill,” prior to being offered a part on “These Friends of Mine” by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed “Ellen.” Running from 1994 to 1998, the show got record ratings, with Ellen receiving Emmy nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, Ellen was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers.

Ellen DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime telly area, the hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” is now entering its seventh season and has won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host four years in a row and has earned a total of 29 Daytime Emmy Awards. She was in the top 5 of Forbes “Most Influential Women in Media”

However, not everyone is greeting news of her appointment as one of the American Idol judges with open arms and wide smiles, “What the fuck does she know about music?” complained one AI fan on a music top message board. Another blogger wrote “ “Is she going to be a real judge or some kind of joke?” asked one American Idol blogger. “She’s a comedian, not a singer or a musician. I’m kinda flummoxed here.”

As for me, well I think it’s good news, it’s no secret that I loved her show, and watch it as often as I can when I’m in The States, it’s on at 6am over in England, which is far too early for any sane person to get up! But, Ellen who wed her girlfriend Porta De Rossi last year is such an entertaining lady, who doesn’t take herself too seriously and is incredibly giving is worth rising at the crack of dawn for!