Nigel Lythgoe quits as TV judge following Paula Abdul sexual assault allegations

nme.com:

So You Think You Can Dance following allegations of sexual assault made by Paula Abdul.Abdul filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe, who co-created the US show and also served as a producer on American Idol, on December 29.

The suit, which was filed in Los Angeles, made a series of claims during her time hosting both shows, including sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence.Lythgoe had denied the claims, calling them “false” and “deeply offensive”.“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” Lythgoe’s statement read. “For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues.

Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”It continues: “While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue.

But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”Now, Lythgoe has departed So You Think You Can Dance “entirely voluntarily” in a bid to avoid the allegations overshadowing the show.“I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series,” Lythgoe said in a statement.“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great programme has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain.