Abdul pulls out of ‘Idol’

It’s official: Paula Abdul is leaving “American Idol.”

In a Twitter post, she said: “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon.”

Abdul’s banter and bickering with fellow judge Simon Cowell was an “Idol” fixture.

Earlier this year, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly called Abdul “an integral part of the show.”

On Wednesday, the network and “Idol” producers said they’re “saddened that she has decided not to return to the show.”

Abdul’s contract had expired, and her new manager said last month that the prospects for a new deal looked dim. Sources said she rejected an eight-figure deal and 30 percent raise.

Her announcement came the day after Fox said Kara DioGuardi, added last season as a fourth judge, would return.

Going a Miley too far

A 53-year-old Savannah, Ga., man who says he’s secretly engaged to Miley Cyrus has been charged with attempting to stalk the teen “Hannah Montana” star.

Mark McLeod was arrested after he returned Sunday to the beachside set where Cyrus is filming a new movie.

Police said he claimed Cyrus’ father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, called him “the good man we’ve been praying for” and that Miley sent him “secret messages” through her TV show.

Brown sentencing stalled

A judge Wednesday delayed singer Chris Brown’s sentencing for assaulting former girlfriend Rihanna to see if he can do community labor in Virginia.

Brown pleaded guilty in June under a deal calling for five years probation and six months of community labor.

The birthday bunch

Actress Catherine Hicks (“7th Heaven”) is 58. Actress Stepfanie Kramer is 53. Actor Jeremy Ratchford (“Cold Case”) is 44. Director M. Night Shyamalan is 39. Singer Geri Halliwell (Spice Girls) is 37. Actress Soleil Moon Frye is 33.