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Nigel Lythgoe<\/a>\u00a0will not be on the latest season of\u00a0<\/span>So You Think You Can Dance<\/em><\/a>. ET has learned that the show’s former judge — who’s facing several sexual assault lawsuits — will not be featured at all on the competition series’ 18th season, which premieres March 4.<\/span><\/p>\n Lythgoe co-created the series alongside Simon Fuller. He served as a judge for its first 16 seasons.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In December, <\/span>Paula Abdul<\/a>\u00a0claimed that Lythgoe, who produced both\u00a0<\/span>American Idol<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>and\u00a0<\/span>SYTYCD<\/span><\/em>, <\/span>sexually assaulted her<\/a> on two occasions. First, when she was a judge on the former show, and\u00a0again in 2015, when she was\u00a0a judge on the latter one.<\/span><\/p>\n Lythgoe denied Abdul’s claims, telling ET of the allegations, “Not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”<\/span><\/p>\n The following month, Lythgoe\u00a0<\/span>was accused<\/a> of sexual assault again, this time by two unidentified women who said they competed on the short-lived series\u00a0<\/span>All American Girl<\/span><\/em>\u00a0in 2003. ET previously reached out to Lythgoe about the two women’s allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n Shortly thereafter, the production companies and network behind the competition series <\/span>announced Lythgoe’s exit<\/a> from the show.<\/span><\/p>\n “19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, and FOX can confirm the upcoming season of\u00a0<\/span>So You Think You Can Dance<\/span><\/em>\u00a0will proceed, although without Nigel Lythgoe,”\u00a0the statement read, “to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage.”<\/span><\/p>\n Shortly after,\u00a0<\/span>JoJo Siwa<\/a>\u00a0was <\/span>announced as Lythgoe’s replacement<\/a>. The dancer — who was a judge on season 17 — will fill the same role, judging alongside\u00a0<\/span>Allison Holker<\/a> and <\/span>Maksim Chmerkovskiy<\/a>.\u00a0Returning to host the beloved dance competition series is Cat Deeley.<\/span><\/p>\n “I am beyond excited and beyond grateful,” Siwa said. “The talent is actually insane and I cannot wait for everyone to see them. I can’t wait to see how this season pans out. I am very interested and excited myself. It’s gonna be tough. It’s gonna be a long process, but it’s gonna be so good. And I’m so excited, and also to be with Allison and Maks. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.”<\/span><\/p>\n