Nigel Lythgoe has announced that he is to step down as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance following the recent sexual assault allegations against him.
Last week, Lythgoe's former colleague Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against the executive, claiming that he made unwanted advances on her both during her time on the dance show and many years earlier, when he was an executive producer on American Idol.
Lythgoe, 74, hit back and denied what he described as an "appalling smear" and has now decided to quit his role on SYTCD for the upcoming season amid the claims.
"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," he told TMZ.
"I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that's where its focus needs to remain."
A spokesperson for the show confirmed Lythgoe's exit, adding that no decision has yet been made about his replacement ahead of the show's premiere on FOX on March 4. body check tags ::
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