Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol - His brother confirms! 

Tony Cowell, Simon Cowell's brother confirmed in this podcast that Simon will indeed be leaving the talent competition show (where he was a judge) after Season 9 ends in 2010.
Check out Tony's podcast here - bit.ly/simonlea...
At about 3:00 Tony reveals that the official press statement is being prepared at the moment which will announce Simon's exit from American Idol.
Tony says Simon will leave in order to concentrate on bringing the American version of The XFactor to the U.S.A. in 2011.