Simon Cowell close to $45M deal with Fox

So Paula is NOT going to Hollywood and Simon – the egotistical jerk – is getting richer.

We hear Simon is about to close a two-year deal with Fox that would keep him with through 2011.

“We’ve heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on ‘Idol [including the current season],’” Robert Sillerman, chief executive of CKX, the parent company of “Idol” co-producer 19 Entertainment, told the Hollywood Reporter Monday.

Sillerman said 19’s negotiations with Cowell include the current season, which began filming this week in Denver, as well as 2010 and 2011.

“We did grant approval for that, quite obviously,” he added.

Fox had no comment yesterday, and Cowell was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Daily News.

Cowell’s new deal with Fox will reportedly be worth $45 million a year, up from his current $36 million.

Cowell’s future on the show has been much-discussed this summer following comments he made to a British newspaper that he might consider leaving after the current season, when his deal was set to expire.

Says NY Daily news, these figures must be salt in the wounds of recently departed “Idol” judge Paula Abdul, who bowed out of her position via an announcement on Twitter last week.

Hmmmm, ya think?

Sources say Abdul was gunning for $10 million a year, up from $4 million, but Fox wouldn’t go that high.

Fox exec Peter Rice told reporter’s last week at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena that the network made a “fair” offer that was “a substantial raise on money she has made in the past,” but that Abdul turned it down.

“We’re very sad that she’s not coming back,” Rice said. “She’s been a very important part of the ‘Idol’ family.”

While Fox searches for a permanent replacement for Abdul, female pop stars like Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham – who filled in during the Denver auditions this week – will guest-judge.

Meanwhile, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest will all be back for the upcoming season.

Well Miss Paula, success is the best revenge – get at us at the Buzz – we’ve got some ideas for you. Buzz

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