Paula Abdul has reacted furiously to claims her strange behaviour on the talent show American Idol is sparked by alcohol.

The singer, who is a judge alongside Simon Cowell on the hit US show, says the reports are nonsense.

The 44-year-old, who sips from a red cup during the show, said "I've never been drunk.

"I have never done recreational drugs.

"Just look at my 20-year career. Tell me someone who is into partying or doing drugs that could have done that."

In her five years on the show, Abdul - a singer and movie, TV and stage choreographer - has weathered criticism about her sometimes odd behaviour, which has included slurred and garbled speech, and her not-so-subtle gushing over the show's young, male singers.

"There have been 100million lies about me," said Abdul, who has said she has taken prescription medication for health problems, including inflammatory arthritis.

"I'm squeaky clean. I've worked my ass off my entire life. But being involved in the show causes people to question everything."

Last year, it was announced Abdul had signed a deal to judge alongside Cowell on American Idol until 2008.

"I have never missed a live show," Abdul added.

"Even when I had surgery on my hand (for an infection caused by a botched manicure in 2004), I left my hospital bed to go to the show."