Thursday, July 12, 2012 5:18pm ET by  
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Steven Tyler: 'I've decided to quit American Idol'

Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler has confirmed his decision to leave his judging role on American Idol.

The 'Dude Looks Like A Lady' superstar released an official statement on the news and explained that he wants to focus on his music career now that his band have a brand new record coming out later this year:

"After some long ... hard ... thoughts ... I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit."

"I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band."

"On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars. IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it ... Now it’s time to bring Rock Back."

This announcement is bound to set tongues wagging after recent speculation has suggested that former Idol alum Adam Lambert has been tipped to join the panel. The 'Never Close Our Eyes' hitmaker said earlier this week that he would be honoured to be a part of the show:

"If they were to approach me and if they were to say, you know, 'We want you to be a judge on the show' – I would love that!"

 

 

 

Tyler's American Idol departure is especially poignant because fellow judge Jennifer Lopez has also revealed her apprehension at continuing as a panelist and told Today recently:

"You know, I signed on to American Idol to do one year and I wound up doing the two years. And now it's like, 'Ok, do we continue on this journey?'"

Watch a collection of Tyler's best American Idol moments below: