Paula Abdul alleged in a lawsuit that Nigel Lythgoe assaulted her once when she was an “American Idol” judge and again when she was on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
LOS ANGELES — TV producer Nigel Lythgoe said Friday that he is stepping aside as a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” after lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault, including one from Paula Abdul.
Lythgoe is also co-creator and executive producer of the Fox dance competition series, whose 18th season is set to start in March.
“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 program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself …