Quick-witted Brit Simon Cowell is finalizing a deal that will cement his return to the judge’s table of American Idol for at least three more seasons, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Mr. Nasty’s signature brand of biting remarks and bored eye-rolling wil reportedly send his $36 million salary soaring to $45 million. Which is ironic, since just last week, longtime judge Paula Abdul announced that she will not be returning to the show after failing to secure a $20 million contract with series producers.

“We’ve heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on ‘Idol,’” Robert Sillerman, CEO 19 Entertainment, tells the trade paper.

“They, in their negotiations with Cowell, have asked us to pre-approve him not only for ‘American Idol’ ’09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for ’10 and ’11, indicating to us that they’re finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that quite obviously.”