Paula Abdul joins X Factor judging panel

Paula Abdul is ''excited beyond words'' to be judging the new US version of 'The X Factor' alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole.

Paula Abdul is "excited beyond words" to be judging the new US version of 'The X Factor'.

The 48-year-old star joins Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole on the panel of the pop star search show and admits she "couldn't be happier" to be working alongside 51-year-old music mogul Simon once again after the pair originally appeared together on 'American Idol'.

She said: "I am excited beyond words to be a part of 'The X Factor'. I couldn't be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show.

"I'm looking forward to being back with the FOX/FremantleMedia family and know that it will be an extraordinary journey - we're going to have a blast. I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again ... but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!"

Simon - who began filming for 'The X Factor' yesterday (08.05.11) - conceded the judging panel "would never have been the same" without Paula.

He added: "This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can't believe I am saying this, but I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she's on the show."

Meanwhile, Cheryl is hoping Stateside fans will "embrace" her regional dialect, despite there being concerns American audiences won't understand her strong North East English accent.

The 'Fight for This Love singer - who is from Newcastle - said: "I'm hoping people are going to embrace it. I'm not worried about my accent. It's going to be interesting. I hear a lot of accents here too.

"I'm sure there will be words or phrases where people are like, 'Excuse me?' "