Nigel Lythgoe leaving So You Think You Can Dance amid Paula Abdul assault allegations

Nigel Lythgoe announced today that he’s “stepping back” from his duties on long-running dance competition series So You Think You Can Dance, after multiple women—including former series judge Paula Abdul—accused him of sexual assault. Per Deadline, series co-creator Lythgoe issued a statement today, writing that, “I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series. I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”

Although he took the last season off, choreographer Lythgoe has been the longest-serving regular panelist on the 20-plus season series, which he co-created after the success of American Idol, which he served as a producer on. Last week, he was hit by two lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault; in Abdul’s case, that included accusations that he assaulted her twice, once during her time on Idol, and then many years later, when she was working as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. The other lawsuit was issued by two Jane Does alleging that Lythgoe attempted to coerce them into sex during an after-party for short-lived reality series All American Girl.

Lythgoe is reportedly the subject of an investigation by Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment; producers for the Fox series have said they intend to move forward with the upcoming season of the series without Lythgoe, “to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage.” The series returns on March 4.