Lionel Richie. Photo by IBL/REX/Shutterstock

After being featured on Fox for 15 seasons, American Idol is set to return to ABC for the 2017-2018 season. Now the network has revealed that Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will join the show’s judge panel. It was previously announced that the show will feature Katy Perry as a judge and Ryan Seacrest as a host.

American country singer Luke Bryan went on Twitter and confirmed the news via video saying: “I’m so excited and proud to announce that I will be one of the three judges on ABC’s American Idol.” He also went on to call Lionel Richie his “hero”.

Lionel Richie also shared his excitement about joining the show in his statement following the announcement.

“I am very excited to be joining Katy, Luke, and Ryan on American Idol,” Richie said. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, I feel I can bring a great deal of experience to the table. It’s going to be so much fun!”

American Idol’s host Ryan Seacrest also went on his Twitter profile and gave the fans a little glimpse of the shooting that started on Tuesday.

Created by Simon Fuller, American Idol started airing on Fox in 2002, completing its original run in 2016 with 15 seasons. Some of the winners include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze and Trent Harmon. The show had a huge success, being described as “unparalleled in broadcasting history” and “the most impactful show in the history of television”. After some record-breaking numbers, the show saw a decline in ratings following the 2012–13 season which ultimately lead to American Idol being canceled by Fox in 2015. At the beginning of 2017, rumors started circling about the possible revival on NBC or Fox, before ABC stepped in and acquired the rights for the show announcing its return in 2017 – 2018 season.