Randy Jackson Leaving ‘American Idol’

The Fox show's last standing original judge confirmed his departure, first reported by TheWrap

The first in TheWrap's reported judge departures is official.

Randy Jackson announced on Thursday that he won't be coming back for a 13th season of Fox's "American Idol."

Also read: Insider: 'American Idol' to Axe All 4 Judges as Part of Massive Makeover (Exclusive)

“Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It’s been a life-changing opportunity, but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures,” he said in a statement obtained by TheWrap.

As TheWrap reported first on Wednesday, Fox wasn't going to pick up Jackson's option for another season.

Also read: Is 'American Idol' Having Its Worst Week Ever?

Nevertheless, the music and television producer has survived several panel changes over the show's 12 years, which saw Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Lopez, among others, leave the series.

During Jackson's tenure on the show, its ratings saw a deep decline from its Season 6 height of 30 million viewers per episode. Wednesday's episode attracted a total of 10.8 million viewers. And in an hour which crossed with NBC's "The Voice," it lost in both total viewers and the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demo.

Jackson would be the first departure of a planned clean sweep. The other three judges — Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban — are also on their way out.

"All four are gone," an insider with knowledge of Fox's plans told TheWrap. "They feel they've lost their core audience and they want it back."

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is also expected to get the boot in a massive makeover of the talent show.

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