Nigel Lythgoe Will No Longer Serve as ‘So You Think You Can Dance Judge’ After Sexual Assault Allegations

Nigel Lythgoe will no longer be a referee in the upcoming season So you think you can dance.

The television producer, 74, said on Friday Diversity he was coming out of a long streak. “I informed the producers about So you think you can dance my decision to withdraw from this year’s series. I did it with a heavy heart, but completely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers and that is where its focus should remain. In the meantime, I’m devoting myself to clearing the peace from my name and restoring my reputation.”

In a joint statement shared with PEOPLE, 19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, FOX and the production company and network So you think you can dance announced that Lythgoe would no longer be a judge on the competitive dance series following his recent sexual assault allegations.

“19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions and FOX can confirm the upcoming season So you think you can dance will continue, albeit without Nigel Lythgoe, to ensure the show remains dedicated to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage,” they wrote. “No decision has been made to replace the judge for this season, which will premiering on FOX on Monday, March 4.”

Nigel Lythgoe.

Kevin Winter/Getty

Paula Abdul Sues American Idol, SYTYCD Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe for alleged sexual assault

Although Lythogoe will not appear in his usual role as a referee in season 18 SYTYCDit is unclear if he will be included in the audition process that takes place in the first few episodes of the season.

Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe.

Mike Windle/Getty

On December 30, Paula Abdul, 61, accused the longtime dance judge of sexually assaulting her on two occasions while they were both working on American Idol in the early 2000s and SYTYCD in 2015.

According to her lawsuit — which was filed under the Sexual Assault and Concealment Act, which allows civil sexual assault lawsuits to be filed even if the statute of limitations has expired — Abdul is suing the defendants for sexual assault/assault, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and negligence.

Nigel Lythgoe sued over alleged sexual assault by 2 reality show contestants amid ongoing lawsuit against Paula Abdul

Shortly after the news broke, Lythgoe responded to her claims and denied all the allegations in a statement provided to TMZ.

“To say I’m shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is an insane understatement,” he said. “For over two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear and completely platonic friends and colleagues.”

Noting that he learned of Abdul’s allegations “out of the blue” from the press, Lythgoe continued: “I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and everything I stand for. … I cannot pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit she must know is untrue. But I can promise to fight this horrible stain with everything I have.”

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Since then, more people have come forward with new allegations. On January 2, two contestants who competed in the all-female reality show in 2003. All American girls filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe accusing him of negligence, sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and intentional infliction of emotional pain.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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Source: HIS Education