Nigel Lythgoe, the show's executive producer, has announced that it will leave 'American Idol' to pursue other projects together with Simon Fulller, another mastermind of the show. The announcement couldn't have come at a worse moment for 'American Idol' which, despite the fact that it remains the most popular show on television, has started to lose audience at an alarming rate.

While Fox said that it wishes luck to Mr. Lythgoe, and that it hopes that his future enterprises will bring the producer a lot of success, it also mentioned that it is 'disappointed' by the his departure.

Mr. Nigel Lythgoe has been with 'American Idol' since it was first aired 8 years ago and his contributions have been considered very important and one of the main reasons for which the show has gained so much popularity.

The former British dancer and choreographer said that his work at 'So you think you can dance,' will keep him busy all this summer. Besides producing the show, he is also one of the judges that notes the contestants' dancing abilities.

According to the BBC News, Nigel Lythgoe said about Simon Fuller, his colleague on the future projects, that “he is without doubt, a man of vision, and I look forward to partnering with him on new and exciting challenges in all forms of entertainment.”

Over the last year, 'American Idol' lost more than 2 million viewers, and figures suggest that the show is losing its younger audience. Fox will now have to take pains at finding a proper replacement for Mr. Lythgoe, so that the network will be able to save its most popular show.