L.A. Reid Says He's Leaving ‘X Factor'

Judge tells ‘Access Hollywood' he wants to focus on Epic Records

By Andrea Morabito & Lindsay Rubino -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/13/2012 9:04:45 PM

The X Factor judge L.A. Reid will not be returning to the Fox singing competition show for a third season, he said in an interview with Access Hollywood on Thursday.

Reid, who is the chairman and CEO of Epic Records, said he wants to return to focusing on his musicians.

"I have decided that I will not return to The X Factor next year," he said. "I have to go back and I have a company to run that I've kind of neglected and it saddens me a little bit, but only a little bit."

Reid has been a judge on X Factor since its premiere and was the only judge besides executive producer Simon Cowell to return for a second season after season-one judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were given the boot.

It is not known whether fellow judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato will return for season three. The X Factor airs its season finale next Thursday, Dec. 20.

A Fox spokesperson declined to comment.