Will.I.Am to join `American Idol`?

London: Rapper Will.I.Am is reportedly joining the "American Idol" panel for its 13th season.

The `Scream & Shout` singer is expected to be announced as one of the new judges on the show, alongside Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban. The addition of Will.I.Am to the panel seems to suggest that he will leave his position as coach on `The Voice UK`, following fellow judges Jessie J and Danny O`Donoghue in exiting the BBC show. Urban`s return to the `American Idol` panel for a second series was confirmed at the Television Critics Association Fox presentation on August 1. Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Lopez was "very close" to signing a deal to return after a one-year absence. Last year`s female judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj both departed the Fox series to focus on their respective music projects, with original judge Randy Jackson also choosing to leave the show. PTI