Paula Abdul probed over affair claims

FOX has launched a probe into recent claims that American Idol judge Paula Abdul had an affair with a former contestant, the Los Angeles Times reports today.

Corey Clark, who was disqualified from the competition in 2003, alleged that he had sex with Abdul in the guest room of her house while he was still on the show. In the draft of a book proposal, Clark also claimed that Abdul often referred to him as his "special friend" and that she would privately finance his singing career to the tune of $2 million.

In a statement to Access Hollywood yesterday, Abdul's rep dismissed the allegations. "Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response," said the spokesperson. "Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal."

Separately, rival network ABC is persisting with plans to air an Idol "exposé" despite the threat of legal action from FOX.