Nigel Lythgoe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nigel Lythgoe OBE
Lythgoe in 2010
Born	(1949-07-09) 9 July 1949 (age 75) Wallasey, Cheshire, England
Occupation	Television director film director television producer film producer screenwriter television personality choreographer former dancer
Years active	1969–present
Spouse(s)	Bonnie Shawe ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 2010)​
Children	Simon & Kris

Nigel Lythgoe OBE (born 9 July 1949) is an English television and film director and producer. He is also a television dance competition judge and a talented choreographer. Before his producing career, he was a dancer in a group called The Young Generation.

Nigel Lythgoe is famous for producing popular shows like Pop Idol and American Idol. He also created and was an executive producer for So You Think You Can Dance. He was a judge on this show for many years.

Early life and dance beginnings

Nigel Lythgoe was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, England. His father, George Percival Lythgoe, worked at the docks. Nigel became interested in dance when he was ten years old. He started by learning tap dancing.

He studied dance at two schools in Wallasey: the Hylton-Bromley School of Dance and Drama, and the Perry Cowell School of Dance. There, he learned many styles, including classical ballet, modern jazz, and ballroom dancing.

Nigel's first professional dance job was with the English National Ballet. He performed in their tour of The Merry Widow. In 1969, he joined a BBC dance group called The Young Generation. By 1971, he became their choreographer. Since then, he has choreographed over 500 television shows.

Career in television

Lythgoe in 1976, with a dance group

Early in his career, Nigel Lythgoe learned how to film dance performances using special techniques like multi-cameras. This skill was very important for his future in television.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Lythgoe danced with famous performers like Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly. He also created dances for stars such as Ben Vereen, Shirley Bassey, and even the Muppets. He once said that he was the only person to dance, choreograph, produce, and direct the Royal Variety Performance.

By 1995, Nigel Lythgoe was in charge of entertainment and comedy at London Weekend Television. In this role, he helped create and produce popular shows like Gladiators and Blind Date.

In 2000, Lythgoe became a judge on Popstars. He was known as the "tough judge" and was even nicknamed "Nasty Nigel" by some newspapers. He then helped produce and direct the British version of Survivor.

Later, he joined Simon Fuller's company, 19 Entertainment. There, he helped create and produce a new show called Pop Idol. This show became a huge success and led to a worldwide series of shows, including American Idol.

In 2002, Nigel Lythgoe moved to the United States to produce American Idol. He then became a producer, judge, and co-creator of So You Think You Can Dance for the FOX television network.

In 2007, Lythgoe helped start BritWeek. This is an annual event in Los Angeles that celebrates the connections between the UK and California. In 2008, he announced he was leaving American Idol to focus on So You Think You Can Dance. However, in 2010, he returned as an executive producer for American Idol's tenth season.

Personal life

Nigel Lythgoe married Bonita Shawe in 1974. They met when he was a choreographer for the Young Generation dance troupe. Bonita also worked as a judge on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance in America and Australia. Nigel and Bonita divorced in 2010. They have two sons together, Simon and Kristopher.

Nigel Lythgoe owns a vineyard called Villa San Juliette in Paso Robles, California. In January 2003, he had a heart attack.

Filmography

Awards and honours

• 2015 OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire
• 2014 Ellis Island International Medal of Honor
• 2011 International Emmy: Founders Award – Winner
• 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
• 2007 The Governors Award – Winner
• 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
• 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
• 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
• 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program – Nominee
• 2003 Grammy: Album of the Year – Nominee

See also

In Spanish: Nigel Lythgoe para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards