Nigel Lythgoe (born July 9, 1949) is an English producer, reality-competition judge, former dancer, and choreographer. He simultaneously was the executive producer, co-creator (along with Simon Fuller), and head judge on the panel of FOX's summer series, So You Think You Can Dance.
Nigel served as Executive Producer of American Idol from Season 1 to Season 7. Following a brief respite, he returned from Season 10 to Season 12. He could frequently be seen in the front row of the audience during performance nights.
He also returned to produce the Season 15 Finale, which include a plethora of guest performances from Idol alumni to commemorate "The Farewell Season" on FOX.