Jackson backs DeGeneres appointment

Randy Jackson has given his approval to the appointment of Ellen DeGeneres on the American Idol panel.

Jackson, 53, argued that the chatshow host will offer the public something the rest of the judges cannot.

"She can be the voice of the people among us," he told Fox And Friends. "I think between me, Simon and Kara, there's enough musical experts to go around right there.

"[She's] going to bring a really interesting, different perspective to the people [and] to the panel."

Departing Idol judge Paula Abdul and America's Got Talent's Sharon Osbourne have also heaped praise on DeGeneres, with the latter describing her as a "breath of fresh air".

DeGeneres was unveiled as the permanent replacement for Abdul yesterday and will appear on the Fox reality show's upcoming ninth season.