Can fans expect everyone's favorite judge to appear for the final episode of American Idol?

Ever since his time away from the series, Simon Cowell has been busy on other talent competitions like The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and now America's Got Talent. But is there a chance he might make at least a quick cameo for the show that turned him into an icon?

In Friday's report from Deadline, Cowell said that has yet to be official.

"There is a date clash," he said. "I don't know yet."

In a previous report from Entertainment Weekly, Paula Abdul, who was also one of the original judges on the series, mentioned that something could be arranged for her, Cowell and Randy Jackson to show up for a reunion.

"I know they're trying to figure out what the three of us will do," she said. "I'm sure we'll do something that will be trouble-making."

While Cowell's been away working on other shows, Abdul explained why she left the singing competition after eight years.

"It was time for me to leave," she said. "I'd never had the same job for eight years. I felt that there were changes happening, and it didn't feel like the same show. I needed to go back and do things I wanted to do, and being in that contract with the show didn't allow me to do many things. It was a bold decision to make, but I will always have tremendous gratitude because it was a tremendous experience for me."

The final episode of American Idol airs on Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Tags: American Idol television fox Simon Cowell