A new poll of American Idol fanatics has revealed that viewers of the nation’s No. 1 television talent competition would abandon the popular show if acid-tongued Brit Simon Cowell were no longer on the judge’s panel.

Earlier this year, Simon announced that he is contemplating leaving the show when his contract ends in 2010, he has also said he is “keeping the door open” to return.

In a new poll conducted by AOL Television, nearly half of Idol viewers said they would no longer watch the program if Simon left the show.