Simon Cowell joins judges panel for Season 11 of 'America's Got Talent'

NEW YORK, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Simon Cowell is joining the judges' panel for the upcoming 11th season of America's Got Talent, NBC announced Thursday.

Cowell, 56, created the Got Talent format, starting in 2006 with AGT, which spawned dozens of adaptations around the globe. Cowell has previously served as a judge on various seasons of the talent competitions American Idol, The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.

"I am really thrilled to be joining America's Got Talent next season," Cowell said in a statement. "What I love about this show is that it's open to absolutely anyone. America has some fantastic talent just waiting to be discovered, and I would like that talent to come to our show, including any dogs who can sing!"

"Simon knows this format better than anyone, and he's been producing the show with us since the beginning, so we're thrilled to have him to step in front of the camera and take his rightful place at the head of the judges' panel," added Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. "We welcome him to the on-screen NBC family."

"As the creator of the Got Talent format, he genuinely loves the show more than anyone and is uniquely qualified as we take AGT into its next decade," said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late-night programming for NBC Entertainment. "We can't wait to see the incredible acts the show will uncover as we head into Season 11."

Cowell will continue his role as executive producer of America's Got Talent.

Season 10 of the competition series was hosted by Nick Cannon and featured Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum as judges. Everyone but Stern is expected to return for next summer's edition of the program.