'Idol' Days Over: Paula Abdul Refuses to Return

And then there were three.

After weeks of speculation surrounding Paula Abdul's fate as a judge on "American Idol", it has now been made official — the former pop princess will not be returning to the hit FOX reality series.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to ['American Idol']. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all I'll miss being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon," Abdul wrote on her Twitter page Tuesday night. "What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking."

According to a source close to the "Opposites Attract" singer, she was offered a contract by FOX and it was her decision to turn it down.

FOX News Radio: More Shocking 'Idol' News

"Paula is actually handling the situation really well, she is in great spirits," a close source told Pop Tarts. "She has so many offers and opportunities and has been in New York this week taking meetings."

Another source said that while the judges had shown the contestants great support through the years it was Abdul who was the one who stayed in closest contact, calling and constantly being there for the finalists as they branched out into the music world.

FOX, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment released a statement on Tuesday night expressing their sadness over Abdul's departure.

"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the 'American Idol' family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

FOX announced Monday that judge Kara DioGuardi would return for a second season with "Idol."

Gerard Butler Wants to Date a Dumb Woman?

Gerard Butler is clearly having problems deciding what he is looking for in his lady -- and IQ (or lack thereof) seems to be playing a prominent part.

"I couldn't actually tell you because it's different in each woman, but by the way part of it is being smart and part of it is being dumb," Butler recently explained to us. "Sometimes along the way in my life I don't want a smart woman right now, I want a dumb woman. But then you think, that doesn't work, now I want a smart woman. Then you get a smart woman and you go no, that doesn't work so it's just killing me right now."

But nonetheless, the Scottish hottie already has his list of lasses ready to go.

"Oh Jennifer (Aniston) and I are getting married, then I'm marrying Cameron Diaz, then I'm marrying Joan Rivers and I'm going to be a busy guy," Butler said with a smile.

Country Stars Auction Off Cotton Coverings: So Who Was the Hottest?

Nashville’s finest used their honky-tonkin’ fame for a good cause last week and signed jerseys the Country Music Softball game eBay charity auction to benefit City of Hope - so whose cotton coverings attracted the most attention?

Naturally, Carrie Underwood won by a mile with her signed softball jersey going for a whooping $3,100 followed by Keith Anderson at $510, Joe Nichols at $265, Jason Michael Carroll for $257.77, Whitney Duncan for $255, Darius Rucker at $162.50 and Jake Owen at $160.43.

Funnily enough, Julianne Hough’s went for $405.50 while her beau Chuck Wicks was only $162.51.

Quote of the Day: Brian Austin-Green Bitter About His Acting Roles

"It's really hard to come off of ten years of a show like 90210 and not hold a grudge or be bitter about the fact that you have to work really hard to get another job," Green told Tarts. "You come off of ten years of something and you go ‘hey, you’ve been watching me for ten years, give me something!’"