Rumours have been swirling in recent weeks over whether the beloved singing competition will return to screens.
And fans of American Idol were put out of their misery on Tuesday – as ABC confirmed the series will be returning, after just one year off the air.
While no details about the show, including the line-up of judges and the host, have been announced, the channel confirmed they will be producing a reboot of the reality series later this year.
It’s back: Fans of American Idol were finally put out of their misery on Tuesday – as ABC confirmed the series will be returning, after one year off air
American Idol, which began in 2002, saw its last episode aired on FOX in April 2016 due to dwindling ratings.
However ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey has now confirmed his network was to bring the show back to screens, as it was a ‘pop culture staple, that left the air too soon.’
He continued: ‘ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realising their dreams.’
Old times: Producers went on to reveal they aim to bring the show back for the next TV season, which starts in September – although the host and panel of judges are yet to be announced
While Disney/ABC TV President Ben Sherwood added excitedly in his statement: ‘America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.’
Producers say they aim to bring the show back for the next TV season, which starts in September – although the host and panel of judges are yet to be announced.
No more details were forthcoming, however it has been speculated that the show is set to return to screens in March 2018 in a Sunday evening time slot.
One big change is that auditions will now take place at Walt Disney World in Florida, rather than across the United States, reports TMZ.
Big names: The music competition dominated television in the 2000s, and shot singers such as Carrie Underwood (L) and Jennifer Hudson (R) to stardom
The huge cost of roving auditions was said to have been part of the reason the show was cancelled – as it simply grew too expensive to produce.
As devoted fans will recall, DisneyWorld previously hosted auditions at it’s former attraction the American Idol Experience, although this is now long gone.
The music competition dominated reality television in the 2000s, and shot singers such as Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson to stardom.
Originals: The show has seen a number of judging line-ups over the years, with music mogul Simon Cowell, singer Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson fronting the first series
The show has seen a number of judging line-ups over the years, with music mogul Simon Cowell, singer Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson fronting the first series.
In season eight, Latin Grammy-nominated singer Kara DioGuardi was appointed as a fourth judge, with Paula leaving the following year, and Kara after two years in season ten.
After Simon left in 2010 to pursue the X Factor USA, the whole panel was revamped, with singers Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Harry Connick Jr and Keith Urban all appearing in the following years.
New kids: After Simon left to pursue the X Factor USA, the whole panel was revamped, with singers Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr (L-R) appearing on the final season
Other side of the judging table? Kelly Clarkson, who won the first ever series (above), has been tipped to appear as a judge
It is not known if any previous stars will return or if new judges will be enlisted – with Simon now executive producer and a judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and Jennifer set to star in new series World of Dance.
However Kelly Clarkson, who won the first ever series, has been tipped to appear as a judge.
Shortly after the news broke, host Ryan Seacrest was seen out and about in New York with his girlfriend Shayna Taylor – after admitting he ‘did not know’ if he would have time to host the rumoured reboot last week.
The 42-year-old hunk, who fronted all fifteen series’ of the FOX edition, has just been handed a permanent presenting slot on Live with Kelly and Ryan alongside his friend Kelly Ripa.
Stepping out: Ryan and his girlfriend Shayna Taylor was seen in NYC on Tuesday following the news – after admitting he ‘did not know’ if he would have time to host the new show last week
However, although he was thrilled by the recent rumours that the singing competition was getting a reboot, he later admitted he did not think he has enough time to host both shows – if bosses were to approach him about reclaiming his job.
Speaking on his talk show on Monday morning, co-host Kelly said after hearing the rumours: ‘I think this has to happen. I went into seclusion when American Idol was cancelled. Are you going to host it? Please tell me yes.’
To which Ryan replied after a long pause: ‘I don’t know if I can host it. Do you know the preparation I have to do for [Live!] every night?’
Not sure: Ryan admitted he ‘did not know’ if he would have time to host the rumoured reboot last week
But Kelly, 46, wasn’t prepared to give up without a fight and vowed to do whatever she could to make it possible for her co-host to work on both their show and the talent contest.
She replied: ‘Yes you can, you can! I know that you’re busy in the mornings, I get it. I understand its hard doing double duty. You’ve got the radio show, you’ve got this. But your nights are free. You don’t have that much to do,’ she stated.
‘You can do this! You can disconnect for that! On the days where it is the day after, I will totally …you won’t even have to think, I will do it all!’
He’s got her support! Kelly Ripa, 46, questioned him upon hearing the reboot rumors, saying: ‘I think this has to happen
After some deliberation, Ryan admitted that he was devastated when American Idol, was pulled off air last year and always hoped it would come back sometime in the future – although he wasn’t sure when.
He explained: ‘Whatever you want. You’re my work wife! I say yes and bow to you. No, I don’t know about that part yet. We haven’t gotten that far.’
‘This was news to me last week. I had said at the end of the series, ‘Goodbye for now,’ hoping somewhere it would come back.’
Meanwhile, former AI producer producer Nigel Lythgoe told Variety: ‘They got their wish, but it feels a little too soon to bring it back.’
Former work buddies: The business mogul is seen with the show’s latest judges, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. at the 2015 TCAs in Pasadena