Ellen DeGeneres ‘Very, Very Sad’ Over Simon Cowell’s ‘Idol’ Departure

First Published: January 11, 2010 6:42 PM EST Credit: FOX, Composed by AccessHollywood.com

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption ‘American Idol’ - Ellen DeGeneres and Simon CowellEllen DeGeneres has become the first “American Idol” judge to react to the news that Simon Cowell is leaving the FOX reality singing competition.

Ellen, the newest “Idol” judge, who is sitting down for the first time with her fellow judges this week as they record the Hollywood round of competition, shared her reaction with her “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” audience on Monday.

“He announced he’s leaving on my first day,” Ellen told her audience in an episode set to air on Tuesday. “I’m trying not to take it personally.”

Joking aside, Ellen said she’s sad to see Simon go considering the impact he has made on “Idol.”

“Seriously, I am going to be very, very sad to see him go, because I think he’s made the show what it is,” Ellen said. “He’s a huge part of that show but he wanted a change.”

And while Simon is leaving at the end of this season to kick start his British reality singing competition “The X Factor” stateside in Fall 2011, Ellen ended her Simon remarks with a joke referencing NBC’s recent late night shake up.

“I wish him all the luck in the world hosting ‘The Tonight Show,’” she smiled.

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