Rapper Nicki Minaj has officially joined the judging panel on American Idol, along with country singer Keith Urban.

The announcement came on Sunday – just hours before the first auditions were due to start in New York City for the next season of the TV talent show.

The pair, who were hired to replace Jennifer Lopez and Steve Tyler, will join Mariah Carey and long-time panellist Randy Jackson.

According to the LA Times, contract negotiations "went down to the wire", with the Fox network reportedly concerned the deal would not be done in time for Minaj and Urban to sit in on the first round of auditions.

The announcement follows months of speculation about who would replace Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Tyler. Among the rumoured contenders for the job were Kanye West, Katy Perry, Enrique Iglesias and teen pop sensations Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus.

Trinidadian-born American Minaj, 29, has stormed the charts with multiple hits including Starships and became a quadruple-platinum selling artist with her seventh single, Super Bass.

The singer and rapper, who is known for her outlandish outfits, made headlines in February when she appeared on the Grammy awards red carpet walking arm-in-arm with a man dressed as the Pope.

A less controversial figure, New Zealand-born Urban, 44, is married to actress Nicole Kidman and is a four-time Grammy winner, with album sales totalling 15 million.

"I am thrilled about this year's judges' panel," said Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment at the Fox Broadcasting Company.

"Nicki's an unbelievably captivating international phenomenon who has made an indelible mark on rap and pop.

"And Keith is another great addition to Idol. He's one of the biggest stars in country music, and I know that our fans and contestants will fall in love with him."

Minaj's contract is reportedly worth $12 million (£7.4 million), while Urban will receive $6 million (£3.6 million).