Nigel Lythgoe serves as executive producer of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, as well as one of its choreographer/judges. Lythgoe, president of 19 Television, joined 19 as chief executive in 2001 from London World Television (LWT), where he was controller of entertainment and comedy. At LWT, Lythgoe attracted award-winning programming, including "Ice Warriors," "Live By Request with Phil Collins," "Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music," "Don't Try This At Home," "Friday Night's All Wright," "TV Nightmares," "Kids Say the Funniest Things," "Animals Do the Funniest Things," "Guinness World Records" and "Hidden Talents of the Rich and Famous."

One of the UK's most respected TV talents, Lythgoe began his career at the age of 10 as a dancer. Later, he switched to choreography for The Young Generation dance group and went on to choreograph over 500 television shows around the world, including those for Engelbert Humperdinck, The Muppets and five Royal Variety Performances. Lythgoe became a household name as a tough judge on the UK series "Popstars," leading him to be dubbed "Nasty Nigel" by viewers. He has produced multiple shows, including "Gladiator," "Pop Idol" and the British version of "Survivor," which he also directed. Lythgoe also teamed up with Ken Warwick to create and star in their own reality series, "Corkscrewed," which aired on Fox Reality in 2006.

Along with SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and "All American Girl," Lythgoe's executive producer credits include all seasons of FOX's No.1 AMERICAN IDOL including its first-ever charity show, "Idol Gives Back," which to-date has raised over $70 million for CPEF (Charity Projects Entertainment Fund). CPEF is a U.S. charitable organization established to raise money and awareness to help combat extreme poverty in the United States and throughout the world, particularly in Africa. CPEF aims to use the power of entertainment to deliver social benefits to some of the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable people in the world.