Steven Tyler allegedly told a close source that he will accept one of the judge’s positions on the next season of ‘American Idol,’ the Associated Press (AP) reported on August 18. While the Aerosmith lead singer hasn’t officially released a public statement confirming or denying the news, AP added “there is no reason to refute” the claims.

The source, who only spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because he or she wasn’t authorized to publicly comment on the situation, offered no other details. FOX and the show’s producers, Freemantle Media North America and 19 Entertainment, wouldn’t comment on the news either.

There has been a lot of speculation recently over who would take over at the judge’s table. Simon Cowell decided to leave after this past season to work on the American version of the hit British show ‘The X Factor,’ set to debut Fall 2011. New judge Ellen DeGeneres, who replaced Paula Abdul when she left last year, also recently announced that due to her busy work schedule with her Emmy Award-winning talk show, she also wouldn’t be returning next season.

Written by: Karen Benardello

Steven Tyler