Lythgoe hits back at Abdul's 'Idol' claims

Nigel Lythgoe has insisted that American Idol had no part in the suicide of Paula Abdul fan Paula Goodspeed.

The show's former producer told Us magazine that the fan's death outside Abdul's house on November 11 was no-one's fault, adding that it was time to let the Goodspeed family grieve in peace.

Lythgoe said: "I don't remember Paula Abdul ever saying, 'Don't bring this one or that one in'. But she says she did - I believe her. My point is, this young woman went through the audition process. None of us believed she posed any danger to Paula. Believe me, if we had, she wouldn't have been in the room."

Abdul has reportedly been warned by show bosses to "be nice" following her claim.

Lythgoe said: "This horrible thing happened outside her home. It's like she's saying, 'Don't blame me. It's not my fault.' And she's right. It's not anybody's fault, it's certainly not American Idol's fault."