Fox announced Sunday that former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul is joining her former co-panelist Simon Cowell on his new singing competition “The X Factor.” Abdul will be the fourth judge, alongside Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid.

“This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this — I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” said Cowell in a statement.

The two famously bickered on “American Idol” — with Abdul as the overly sympathetic judge, and Cowell as the caustic one — before she finally left after season eight. Cowell left “Idol” after season nine to launch “The X Factor,” which he produced and judged in the U.K.