Nigel Lythgoe: Why Not On SYTYCD?

Nigel Lythgoe OBE is an English television and film director and producer.

He is a television dance competition judge and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer.

At age 10, Lythgoe became interested in dance and subsequently went to Hylton-Bromley School of Dance and Drama and the Perry Cowell School of Dance, both in Wallasey, where he studied classical ballet, modern jazz, ballroom, character, classical Greek and National dance from various countries.

Nigel Lythgoe’s first professional job was in the corps de ballet for the English National Ballet tour of The Merry Widow. He trained in London under Joanne Steuer and Molly Molloy.

Nigel Lythgoe was the producer of the reality shows Pop Idol and American Idol.

He is the creator and executive producer of So You Think You Can Dance. Nigel also developed the 2009 competition Superstars of Dance.

Nigel Lythgoe owns Villa San Juliette, a vineyard in Paso Robles, California.

Nigel Lythgoe: Why Not On SYTYCD?

Nigel Lythgoe created and executive produced So You Think You Can Dance, on which he served as a judge for the first sixteen seasons.

Although SYTYCD has returned with Season 17 after a nearly two-year break due to COVID-19, it seems the vibrant 72-year-old Lythgoe has said goodbye.

Prior to the Season 17 premiere, Nigel confirmed that he will not be returning to the show in a tweet on March 4, 2022.

“I am so thrilled that America’s young aspiring dance talent will get to work with some of our greatest creative choreographers. On a personally sad note, I have not been asked to be on the judging panel this season. I don’t know who will be saying, “Cue music,” but I wish them well,” Nigel tweeted.

Nigel Lythgoe has been a judge on the show since 2005.

The panel of judges for the SYTYCD Season 17 are JoJo Siwa, Matthew Morrison, and Stephen “Twitch” Boss.