The veteran singer has consistently been linked as Simon Cowell’s replacement on the hit talent contest show.

“I must say, I really do love Elton John. He’s a huge favorite of mine,” said Lythgoe, who was recently re-hired as the show’s executive producer, this weekend.

But Nigel admitted that Sir Elton’s busy touring schedule is ‘always the problem’, the New York Post reports.

In addition to Sir Elton, the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have been linked to judging roles as the show is revamped ahead of the new season in 2011.

Lythgoe says he expects a decision on the judging panel will be made by the end of next month.

Source: Splash News

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Lythgoe, a British TV producer of American Idol who Simon Cowell said made fame and fortune in the US as a “British man bitch”, believes there is work for him stateside.

“I think he’s smart, quick witted and very, very talented. I would have thought he just wants some time out,” Lythgoe said of Ross, 49.

He added:”I would have thought that quite a few stations would want him to go and join them.”

Ross announced the decision to quit following two weeks of careful consideration. His BBC contract will end in July.

Lythgoe admitted he did not know if Ross wanted to cross the Atlantic. “I don’t know if he wants to go and crack new territories.”

Lythgoe, himself a reality TV judge on So You Think You Can Dance, said he will now be forced to “steal” Paula Abdul as a guest judge for his Fox show in the future.

Speaking at the Creative Arts Emmys in Los Angeles, Lythgoe said that while he loved having DeGeneres on the dance show: “I’d prefer Paula. I think it is a great idea to put her on.”

He said of Ellen: “We hope she will still be able to come and help us out from time to time.”

Lythgoe, a former Idol judge, said DeGeneres will be valued at Idol. “What it does is give the public, who are the people who decide in the end who is crowned the victor, a voice on the judges panel and they have never had that before.

“They already have industry experts, musicians and producers and songwriters represented and Ellen will be that judge who comes at it from a fan perspective. She loves music and she will be able to speak about what people will like and what would sound good on the radio. And she’s funny.”

Lythgoe said DeGeneres will be a good counterbalance to Simon Cowell. “I also think she is strong enough to keep Simon in his place, which I am always worried about.”

Source: Splash News

Terri Seymour has been granted a restraining order against a woman who choked her after the final of American Idol.

Seymour, an ex-girlfriend of Idol star judge Simon Cowell, requested a three-year order be imposed on Janice Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux reportedly pleaded guilty recently to a charge of misdemeanour battery over the incident and was sentenced to three years’ probation. Police also witnessed the woman’s attack on Seymour.

Thibodeaux, who works as a correspondent for the show Extra, reportedly said she choked Seymour in retaliation for Cowell playfully choking fellow judge Paula Abdul on the show a week earlier.

Source: Splash News

Simon Cowell’s ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour has gone to court – to obtain a restraining order against the 200lb-woman who allegedly attacked her.

Seymour has filed a request for a restraining order against Janice Thibodeaux – who reportedly attacked her as she left the American Idol finale in Los Angeles last week.

In the document, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Terri claims the woman “has sought publicity for her wrongful act and stated… that she does not regret [it]“.

Seymour also says she fears that Thibodeaux “will again assault and further harass” her.

The Extra TV host, who split from Cowell last year, goes on to describe the attack, saying Thibodeaux “attacked [her] from behind, putting her into a headlock, wrenching her neck and choking her with the full force of her 200lb-frame”.

The papers also claim that Seymour could have been injured or killed if Thibodeaux hadn’t been restrained by nearby cops.

Source: Splash News