Ryan Seacrest Threatening to Bolt American Idol for The X Factor?

American Idol National Enquirer Paula Abdul Ryan Seacrest Simon Cowell Steve Jones The X Factor

3:32 pm, January 18th, 2012

According to the National Enquirer, Ryan Seacrest is playing hardball with “American Idol” producers and “threatening to join his old pals Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul on ‘The X Factor.’”

In the final stretch of his three-year contract with the show, Seacrest supposedly “wants a $15 million chunk of the ‘Idol’ pie” to host another season, although the Enquirer contends that he’s bluffing about making the leap to “X Factor.”

RELATED – Ryan Seacrest “Can’t Imagine Life” Without American Idol

The tabloid claims Seacrest feels “underappreciated” at “Idol” and cites a so-called “source” as saying, “He told FOX he won’t re-up when his ‘Idol’ contract expires.”

“Ryan’s been bragging that Simon wanted him on board ‘X Factor’ all along – and he says Paula would be thrilled to have the three ‘Idol’ cast members back together again,” adds the Enquirer source.

Hmm.

There are a couple of things at play here.

First, speculation about Seacrest’s future has been rampant for some time, with even the “Today Show” in play.

And there’s been endless buzz about whether current host Steve Jones will return for future seasons of “The X Factor.”

But has there been any real conversation – bluff or otherwise – about Seacrest bolting to “The X Factor”?

Nope.

“This is clearly made up,” a source close to Seacrest tells Gossip Cop.

Seacrest – and the rest of the “Idol” gang – return for Season 11 of the show on Wednesday night.

Check out PHOTOS of Ryan & Julianne Hough on vacation in St. Barts!

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