January 12th, 2010 by Liam Tailor

Simon Cowell will leave American Idol at the end of the this season to work on the US X Factor for Rupert Murdoch’s Fox TV. Cowell’s contract will expire after the ninth run of the top-rating American Idol, which has made household names of contestants including Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

Although he earns a reported $36m a year for judging American Idol – and is regarded as a linchpin of the show – the franchise isn’t owned by Cowell himself, and he has been vocal about his desire to cash in on the opportunity of launching a US version of the immensely popular British show.

The UK X Factor Live Tour is also just under a month away. Joe McElderry will be on stage along with the other finalists for shows across the UK. Tickets are selling fast, but tixdaq can confirm that there are hundreds still available across a wide range of venues.

The X Factor Live Tour kicks off on February 15 at Liverpool Echo Arena and includes visits to a number of top UK venues including the Birmingham LG Arena, Wembley Arena, Belfast Odyssey Arena and the MEN Arena. The X Factor Live Tour draws to a close at the Glasgow SECC on April 4.

Compare and buy X Factor Live tickets now!