DeGeneres 'is breath of fresh air'

Sharon Osbourne has claimed that Ellen DeGeneres will be a "breath of fresh air" on American Idol.

The America's Got Talent judge argued that the chatshow host is a perfect pick to replace departing panellist Paula Abdul.

"She will be a breath of fresh air on that show, a complete breath of fresh air," said the 56-year-old. "It's new blood. And [American Idol] needed something new to happen.

"I think if they had replaced Paula with another singer, Janet Jackson or J.Lo, it would have been too expected. Oh well, there we go, another singer. And with Ellen, you've got someone who knows about entertaining, and everything that goes into it, which also speaks for the people."

Osbourne also backed Abdul's decision to leave the show, which is believed to have been based on a dispute with Fox producers over pay.

"I'm behind her. I think she put an awful lot into the show. She did do an awful lot for that show," she added. "I would have probably done the same thing. I'm like, 'Hey, what the men get, the women should get'."

DeGeneres was unveiled as the permanent replacement for Abdul earlier today. She will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the reality show's ninth season.