Randy Jackson quitting `American Idol` after 12 years

Washington: Randy Jackson has decided to leave `American Idol` amid reports that Fox wants to replace all four judges on the reality shows` next season.

Jackson, who has remained with the show since its start in 2002, has confirmed to Us magazine that he is leaving the show to pursue other projects. "Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season," he said. The famed record producer said that he is very proud of how they forever changed television and the music industry. He said that it`s been a life changing opportunity, but he is looking forward to focusing on his company `Dream Merchant 21` and other business ventures. The news of Jackson`s departure came just hours after `The Wrap` posted a report claiming that the channel is planning to fire and replace him and his current costars - Mariah Carey, Nicki Mina j, and Keith Urban - before season 13 of the competition. An insider told the publication that the channel feels that they`ve lost their core audience, and they want it back. ANI