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Nigel Lythgoe

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Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949) is an English television and film director and producer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as creating, executive producing and being a regular judge for So You Think You Can Dance.

Born in Wirral, England, to a dockworker father, Lythgoe got interested in dance at the age of 10. He studied tap and jazz, and European folk at the Hylton-Bromley School of Theatre Dance on Merseyside. He also trained in London under Joanne Steuer and Molly Molloy. Beginning in 1969, Lythgoe performed with and choreographed for the BBC Young Generation dance troupe; it was only then that his father told him he was proud of him.

Early in Lythgoe's career, he learned to use techniques (eg. multi-cameras) to film choreography well, a skill that would later lead to a TV career. During the 1970s and into the 1980s, Lythgoe had opportunity to perform with dancers from Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. He also choreographed for Ben Vereen, Shirley Bassey and (most famously) the Muppets. Lythgoe, in an interview with People said that he "was the only person to dance, choreograph, produce and direct the Royal Variety Performance for the Queen of England."

After working his way through the television industry, by 1996 Lythgoe held the post of Head of Entertainment and Comedy at London Weekend Television, where he commissioned and produced shows including Gladiators and Blind Date.

He moved from London Weekend Television to Bob Geldof's television company Planet 24 to executive produce the UK version of Survivor. Lythgoe then joined Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment group. He came to UK public attention when he was a judge and an executive producer for the ill-fated ITV1 show Popstars. During the show, Lythgoe earned the nickname "Nasty Nigel" for being tough on the competitors and frequently joked as a generic British judge like Simon Cowell. Most significantly, the show led the way to a host of other singing contests such as the Pop Idol franchise, the template for American Idol.

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Idol Headlines for 09/05/10

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It's Official: Kara DioGuardi Is Leaving 'American Idol'

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It's about time something was finally said! Last night Fox finally made a formal announcement: Kara DioGuardi will not be returning to 'American Idol.' Ka...

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Kelly Osbourne Looks FAB!

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"AMERICAN IDOL" ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES AS FINAL AUDITION CITY

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Jerry Lewis Announces 2010 Charity Telethon

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JERRY LEWIS KICKS OFF ANOTHER MDA LABOR DAY TELETHON

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Nigel Lythgoe still dreams of landing Sir Elton John for Idol

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