Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was named as the new judge on hit television series “American Idol,” replacing Paula Abdul for the upcoming season of the ratings giant.

DeGeneres said she was “thrilled” to land the position, where she will be the permanent replacement for Abdul, who quit the show earlier this year amid reports of a contract dispute.

“I’ve watched since the beginning and I’ve always been a huge fan, so getting this job is a dream come true,” said DeGeneres. DeGeneres will join the series after its preliminary auditions phase. Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain are among guest judges serving during the early rounds.

“American Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said he “could not be more excited to have Ellen join the ‘American Idol’ family.”

“Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique touch to our judging panel,” Fuller said. Abdul announced last month that she was leaving the Fox Broadcasting singing competition, television’s most-watched series, after eight seasons.

Ellen has hosted both the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmys. As a film actress, she starred in Mr. Wrong, appeared in EDtv and The Love Letter, and provided the voice of Dory in Pixar’s animated film Finding Nemo. She also starred in two television sitcoms, Ellen from 1994 to 1998 and The Ellen Show from 2001 to 2002. I

n 1997, during the fourth season of Ellen, she came out publicly as a lesbian in an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Shortly afterward, her character Ellen Morgan also came out to a therapist played by Winfrey and the series went on to explore various LGBT issues as well as the coming out process.