US TV
Rex Features
Lythgoe, dubbed 'Nasty Nigel' when he judged Popstars, told the Press Association that he needed to leave to "get myself a life".
He stated: "[Working on the show] is 24/7 and then some, you know. So you just need to get away from it. I've done it for seven seasons now."
Lythgoe confirmed that he will continue to appear on the Cat Deeley-hosted US talent show So You Think You Can Dance, but also has his eye on launching new projects.
He said: "I want something new to go forward with. And I've got lots of ideas that I want to develop, to be honest. But it's a waiting game. I've got to sell them and then I've got to develop them."
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