'Idol' exposé to play "damaging audio tapes"

ABC is set to play "damaging" audio tapes in its upcoming American Idol exposé.

The one-hour special, called Fallen Idol, is due to air on the network this Wednesday despite threats of legal action from Idol's broadcast network, FOX.

According to the Drudge Report today, several "explosive claims" will be covered in the show, including disqualified contestant Corey Clark's recent claims that he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul while he was on the show in 2003.

Although Abdul has since dismissed the allegations as "false," Drudge claims that ABC has a hold of audio messages which prove the contrary.

"Late night phone calls and answering machine messages are said to tie Abdul, 42, to an inappropriate relationship with a 22 year-old contestant," says the report. "ABC is preparing to play the audio, along with on-camera interviews given by former contestants who did not receive the same personal 'coaching.'"