Nigel Lythgoe Sounds Off on American Idol Firing: "Sad," But "It's Not a Personal Thing"

"They just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 Seasons." Lythgoe said of Fox asking him not to return for the reality series' upcoming season

By Tierney Bricker Jun 08, 2013 8:53 PMTags
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American Idol is looking for a new boss.

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed his exit from Fox's reality series on Twitter on Saturday, admitting that he was "fired." Lythgoe, who had been with the show since its debut in 2002, is also an executive producer on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, which he will continue to work on.

"Just had 10 days in the Bahamas, rain everyday. I get back to the States and get fired. Sad!" Lythgoe tweeted before going on to say that he's looking forward to SYTYCD's next episode. "Monday we choose our top 20. I'll smile again."

And though he was "fired," it seems Lythgoe isn't harboring any ill will against Fox. 

"Yes, don't worry I'm on #SYTYCD. FOX still loves me," he assured his followers. "It's not a personal thing they just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 Seasons."

Lythgoe then went on to post an inspirational quote from Lao Tzu: "The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, people will say we have done it ourselves."

VIDEO: Watch Nicole Kidman gush over Keith Urban's stint on Idol!

Executive producer Ken Warwick is reportedly also not returning for season 13.

Lythgoe's departure is just the latest change for the struggling series: Mike Darnell, Fox's longtime president in charge of alternative programming, is leaving after 18 years with the network, and judges Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have all officially announced that they will not be returning, with Idol alum Jennifer Hudson tapped to fill one of their seats.

Keith Urban recently revealed to E! News thet he has "no idea" if he will be back for season 13.

"The passion and dedication that Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick brought to AMERICAN IDOL guided the show to become a true cultural phenomenon," Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment told E! News in a statement. "While we are saddened they will no longer be executive producers on the show, we are grateful for their tremendous contributions and look forward to continuing to work with them on additional projects."