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Nigel Lythgoe is stepping down as a decide on So You Think You Can Dance after being hit with a second sexual assault lawsuit this week.
The English producer, director and dance competitors decide was first accused of sexual assault by former American Idol decide Paula Abdul in papers filed 29 December.
On Tuesday (2 January) two former contestants of All-American Girl, an all-girl competitors present that Lythgoe, 74, produced, additionally accused him of sexual assault/battery.
In an announcement supplied to Variety on Friday, Lythgoe introduced his choice to exit Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.
“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,” the producer mentioned.
“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. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
Nigel Lythgoe has appeared as a decide on the present because it premiered in 2005
(Getty Images for American Ballet)
Lythgoe has appeared as a decide on the present because it premiered in 2005, with the newest 18th season set to air on 4 March.
Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment, which co-produces So You Think You Can Dance, has opened an investigation into Lythgoe’s alleged actions, Variety reported, citing a supply.
In an announcement, Fox, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions mentioned the upcoming season “will proceed, although without Nigel Lythgoe, to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage”.
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“No decision has been made as to a replacement judge for this season, which will premiere on FOX on Monday, March 4th,” the businesses added.
After Abdul got here ahead, Lythgoe mentioned he was “shocked” by the allegations, and denied abusing her in an announcement.
She claims that in one of many early seasons of American Idol, the TV govt shoved her in opposition to a wall and groped her breasts and genitals, and shoved his tongue down her throat.
Paula Abdul accused the TV govt of shoving her in opposition to a wall and groping her breasts and genitals
(Invision)
Abdul additionally claims that she noticed Lythgoe sexually assault certainly one of her assistants in April 2015. She alleges that his behaviour was frequent information within the TV business and that it was even parodied in a 2008 episode of Mad TV.
According to the plaintiffs within the second lawsuit, Jane Doe KG and Jane Doe KN, Lythgoe “walked around the set [of All-American Girl] and dressing rooms and openly swatted and groped plaintiffs’ and other contestants’ buttocks”.
The plaintiffs have accused the producer of sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional misery for an incident they declare to have occurred in May 2003.
Lythgoe’s consultant didn’t reply to The Independent’s request for remark.
Lythgoe started his leisure profession within the Seventies and Eighties, later producing British TV reveals together with Blind Date and Gladiators.
He served as a decide on Popstars, incomes the nickname “Nasty Nigel” by the tabloid press for his harsh suggestions to contestants.
Rape Crisis gives help for these affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can name them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or go to their web site at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you might be within the US, you possibly can name Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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