04 January 2024 , 21:50
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Nigel Lythgoe has been spotted for the first time since show judge Paula Abdul claimed he had sexually assaulted her - allegations the businessman has vehemently denied.
The 74-year-old English television and film director and producer was spotted out with his son, Simon Lythgoe, in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. The pair were seen arriving at Forman's Whisky Tavern in the Toluca Lake neighbourhood of the Californian city.
Nigel looked in high spirits despite the accusations levied against him, smiling for photographers as he went about his evening. He was dressed in dark tones, sporting a deep navy jumper, dark blue trousers, and blue shoes, and wearing a dark blue shirt over his top.
His son, Simon, was dressed in similar dark colours, sporting a deep blue jumper and wearing a pair of black jogging bottoms and a black zip-up hoodie. Nigel walked with his hands in his pockets as he arrived at the restaurant - while he avoided discussing the allegations made against him.
Nigel Lythgoe was spotted out for dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday (BACKGRID)
He was joined by his son, Simon Lythgoe (BACKGRID)An onlooker told the Mirror: “[Nigel] refused to answer any questions on the claims, thanking photographers for asking and refusing further comment as he headed to his car.” His night out comes five days after 61-year-old singer Paula made explosive allegations against him.
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The Straight Up star is suing Nigel and alleging she was the victim of two assaults carried out by him. A lawsuit filed on Friday in California accused Lythgoe of "sexual assaults and harassment" while the pair worked on US reality shows American Idol and 'So You Think You Can Dance?'.
Nigel has strongly denied the accusations, however, and said he is “shocked” by the allegations made by his former co-star. He said in a statement released to TMZ hours after Paula’s claims were made public, denying the claims: "To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.
Nigel wore subdued colours for his night out (BACKGRID)
Nigel has been accused of sexual assault by former American Idol judge, Paula Abdul (WireImage)"Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for. While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have."
In legal papers, Paula claims Nigel groped her in a hotel lift during an early series of American Idol and that he also forced his tongue into her mouth. She claims she made an escape and contacted a member of her team in tears to inform them of the assault. She says she did not speak out at the time fearing she would lose her contract as an American Idol judge.
On Wednesday, news broke that two former All American Girl contestants accused the British star of groping them around the filming of the reality show. The alleged victims have filed a sexual assault, sexual harassment and negligence civil suit over an alleged attack in May 2003.
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999