American Idol judge Simon Cowell, 48 and his girlfriend of six years, Terri Seymour, 34 have split.  She wanted to marry and have kids.  He did not.

“She wants a different path in life, and I totally respect her for it,” Cowell explained. “We will be the best of mates, but I think in relationships, you have to be totally honest. I have always been, and I know Terri knows that.”

“I find women confusing really,” Cowell continued. “When you hook up and date, you’re both honest about what you want. I have never ever said that I want children or marriage. I know some people find it hard to fathom, but it’s me, it’s who I am.”

“Bottom line is I am married to my job. When people moan about been a celebrity, I think ‘Oh please, sort yourself out – it’s the greatest job in the world.’ I wake up daily thanking my lucky stars, but to throw marriage into that mix is not right. I have seen too many celebrity marriages that on paper make a great mix, fall apart through ego and just plain celebrity madness.”

There’s more to Cowell’s breakup with Seymour. He gave her a sizable parting gift. Simon Cowell gave his ex, Terri Seymour, a $9 million parting gift - $5 million to play with and another $4.6 million to buy a home in Beverly Hills.

Now that’s one amicable split!

Cowell is quick to squash rumors of another woman being the reason for the split saying, “There is no one new in my life. I can honestly say some of my best friends are girls, but we’re not dating, and that is that.”

Simon Cowell spoke to TV’s Extra about Clay Aiken’s People magazine cover, proclaiming publicly for the first time that he’s a gay man.

Simon jokingly says, “Wow, that’s a shock. It’s like being told Santa Clause isn’t real - unbelievable.”

Cowell then softened and encouraged Aiken with “Good for him. If he said it, it’s the right thing for him. Good for him.” As for how Aiken’s fans will react, Cowell opined, “I don’t think anyone cares. Let’s face it. It’s 2008. You know, who cares?”

Did Aiken really ask Cowell to be the godfather of Parker? “No,” Simon responds, “I don’t know him well enough, and I think I’d be the last person on Earth he’d call.”

We love the Santa Claus comment! Funny!

It looks like the time-honored trio of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul is about to add a fourth and include an additional female judge.

In a statement released earlier today, American Idol creator Simon Fuller announced that the uber-popular singing competition judges panel will include Kara DioGuardi when Season 8 begins in January of 2009.

“We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” show creator Simon Fuller said in a statement. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

Who is Kara DioGuardi? She’s been responsible for hits sung by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana, and Pink.

Wow, the judges might have some actual musical talent at their table.

Do you think any of the judges are worried about this change? Of course Paula is!!!

Amidst all of the hype and excitement, American Idol judge Paula Abdul said earlier today that she has her concerns. “I am concerned about the audience and acceptance. Time will tell. We’ll see. They always tried for a fourth judge because it followed the format of the original show, Pop Idol. We haven’t had much luck with that working, but we’re gonna give it another try.” She also noted, “It takes the fun out of all the hard work I do to push those kids through.”

Don’t you need an odd number of judges though? What happens if there is an even-split decision???

It is always fascinating to learn how much celebs make.  TV Guide has released their annual star salary survey, based on information from TV industry insiders and published sources.

Oprah Winfrey earns $385 million a year.  Each year!!! 

Simon Cowell makes $50 million a year.

David Letterman makes $32 million a year.

Charlie Sheen is the highest-paid TV actor, making $825,000 per episode.  With around 22 episodes in a season, Charlie will likely bank about $20 million a year.

There are millions to be made even if you are never actually seen on television.

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, who supplies the voice of lead character Peter Griffin, just signed a deal with Fox that will net him $100 million through 2012.

And The Simpsons cast — Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria — each earn $400,000 per episode.

Simon Cowell isn’t so mean after all!

The American Idol judge, 48, gave the family of a cancer-stricken 3-year-old $162,000 to pay off their mortgage, he announced on Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give show.

The family drives more than 100 miles from their Minnesota home every day so their daughter, Madelaine, can receive treatments.

“It’s a very basic story of a normal family whose daughter got very ill, and they had some financial problems which was relatively easy for me to sort out,” Cowell explained to Extra.

On the show, he told Winfrey that he “credits her” for teaching him to be a do-gooder.

Said Cowell, “I never knew that doing good could feel so good.”

Simon Cowell is worth an estimated $200 million dollars.  Simon has announced that he plans on donating almost all of his fortune to children’s and animal charities when he dies.  How much exactly?  $180 million!

Cowell claimed he was inspired to write the will by his mother during a Christmas holiday in the West Indies.

“Mum asked, ‘Have you ever made a will?’ I said, ‘Thanks a lot!’. But it got me thinking,” he explained.

The reality TV show star said that he didn’t think his family or girlfriend Terri Seymour would be bothered by the decision because he won’t be making the donation for a long while yet.

He added: “Hopefully I’ll be a lot older when it happens, so it won’t affect them much!”