Nigel Lythgoe will not appear on the next season of So You Think You Can Dance.
In a statement to FOX News Digital, a representative for the show said: “19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions and FOX have announced that the next season of 'So You Think You Can Dance' will be produced without Nigel Lythgow. However, I can confirm that we will proceed to ensure the survival of the show.” We salute the contestants who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage.
“No decisions have been made regarding the replacement judges for this season, which premieres on FOX on Monday, March 4.”
Lithgow also released a statement saying: “I have informed the producers of 'So You Think You Can Dance' of my decision to decline to participate in this year's series. It is with a heavy heart, but completely voluntarily. I did it because it's such a great show.” “It's always been about dance and dancers, and that's what we need to keep focused on. In the meantime, I'm focused on clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
Nigel Lythgoe won't be returning to 'So You Think You Can Dance'. (Getty Images)
Nigel's exit from the dance show comes after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit accusing Nigel of sexual assault.
Paula Abdul sues 'American Idol' executive producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault
In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Dec. 29, the 61-year-old singer alleges that Lithgow, 74, is a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol.” He claimed that he was sexually assaulted twice while working for the company. According to a copy of the complaint obtained by Fox News Digital.
Lithgow co-produced “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2005. (Getty Images)
“To say I am shocked and saddened by the allegations against me by Paula Abdul is a gross understatement,” Lithgow said in a statement to FOX News Digital. “For over 20 years, Paula and I have known each other as dear and completely platonic friends and colleagues.
“Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these allegations in the press. I want to be clear: they are not only false, they are deeply offensive to me and everything I stand for. It's something.
“Paula's history of erratic behavior is well known, but I can't pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit when she should know it to be false. But I can promise you that I will fight this horrible slander with everything I have.”
Paula Abdul accused Nigel of sexual assault in December. (Christopher Polk/Variety, via Getty Images)
Abdul claimed in her lawsuit that the first alleged sexual assault occurred in an elevator during one of the “early seasons” of “American Idol.”
Abdul was also a member of the original judging panel of “American Idol” simon cowell Lithgow served as showrunner on American Idol from 2002 to 2008.
Paula Abdul has accused Nigel Lythgoe of two counts of sexual assault. (Steve Granitz/Wire Image)
He returned as an executive producer for the show's 10th season in 2010, but left at the end of the 12th season in 2013. Lithgow returned to American Idol in 2016 as an executive producer for the show's final episode.
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Lythgow co-created “So You Think You Can Dance” with “American Idol” creator Simon Fuller and served as a judge on the first 16 seasons of the dance competition series from 2005 to 2019. .
“American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe poses with “American Idol” judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul in 2005. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Abdul served as a guest judge on Season 10 of SYTYCD in 2013, and became a permanent judge on Seasons 12 and 13 in 2015 and 2016. She was also a member of the judging panel of “So You Think You Can Dance Australia'' during the show's fourth season in 2014.
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In her complaint, Abdul accused Lithgow of sexually assaulting her for the second time in 2015, when she was a judge on SYTYCD.
“Straight Up” singer She claimed that the incident happened at his home after she joined him for dinner. Mr Abdul said he attended the dinner believing Mr Lithgow had given him a “professional invitation”.
Nigel Lythgoe said he was “shocked and saddened” by Abdul's allegations. (Greg DeGuire/Variety)
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Abdul also accused Lithgow of sexually assaulting one of his assistants in 2015 while working on SYTYCD.
Fox News Digital’s Ashley Hume contributed to this report.
