Simon Cowell has paid tribute to fans of American Idol as he bid farewell to the hit US show.

"Everybody asks who's going to replace me, who going to be the next judge. The truth is, you guys are the judge of this show and you've done an incredible job over the years, " Cowell said on stage.

The tables were turned as Simon was treated to a video montage of his best bits from the last nine series.

"I didn't think I was going to be this emotional and I genuinely am," he said.

The judge quit the show in January and is planning to launch an American version of his own programme The X Factor.

Paint shop assistant Lee DeWyze was crowned the new American Idol and will launch his career with a version of U2's Beautiful Day.