Victoria Beckham Joins American Idol

Several hours after Paula Abdul announced her departure as a judge, American Idol confirms that Victoria Beckham will take her place.

Yesterday, Paula Abdul, 47, said, "With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return." Abdul did not give a reason for her departure after several weeks of speculation.

Although several rumours have indicated a long-term commitment, at the time of this writing, Beckham has only been scheduled for one show. The 35-year-old will begin filming this week as a member of the jury.

American Idol is the most popular television show in the United States, with more than 26 million viewers each week.