Nigel Lythgoe 'Sad' He's Fired From 'American Idol'

The longtime producer of the veteran reality show says his firing is 'not a personal thing they just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 seasons.'

June 10, 2013

AceShowbiz -

It's official: Nigel Lythgoe won't return as "American Idol" producer after 12 seasons. The British producer and former dancer confirmed the news on Saturday, June 8 as tweeting, "Just had 10 days in the Bahamas, rain everyday. I get back to the States and get fired. Sad!"

Despite being axed from the show, Lythgoe seems to be still in good spirit. He told his followers, "Yes, don't worry. I'm on #SYTYCD. Fox still loves me." Of the reason for his firing, he said, "It's not a personal thing they just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 seasons."

The television personality also quoted Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu in his next post which read, "The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, people will say we have done it ourselves."

Editors' Pick

Lythgoe and another longtime executive producer Ken Warrick had been reported not to return to "Idol" next season following the show's ratings decline. Lythgoe'x exit is the latest part of the shakeup in the show after Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj confirmed they wouldn't be back as judges for season 13.

Recently, David Hill was tapped to oversee "Idol" and "The X Factor (US)" to take over the duties from departing alternative programming president Mike Darnell.