[5] Lythgoe, and his production partner Ken Warwick, initially agreed to produce the 2007 Emmys, but could not due to scheduling conflicts with SYTYCD.

[6] In 2007, Lythgoe worked with a number of California-based Brits, including then-British Consul-General Bob Peirce, to found BritWeek, an annual program of events held in Los Angeles and Orange County to celebrate the business, historical, and entertainment ties between the UK and California.

[8][9][10][needs update] Lythgoe married Bonita Shawe in 1974, whom he met while he was choreographer for the BBC's Young Generation dance troupe.

[15] On 29 December 2023, Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit accusing Lythgoe of sexual assault while she was employed as a judge on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

[16] She said that the first assault occurred in 2002, when Lythgoe allegedly groped her and “[shoved] his tongue down her throat” in a hotel elevator, wherein she pushed him away.

She alleged the second assault occurred in 2015 when Lythgoe forced himself on her while she was at his house under the pretense of discussions regarding So You Think You Can Dance, a program that Lynthgoe also produced.

[18] Lythgoe commented, "we live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years [...] like Paula, I am glad to be able to put this behind me.

"[20] On 2 January 2024, two contestants of the programme All American Girl, who were identified as Jane Does, sued Lythgoe, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, emotional distress, and negligence, and alleging he "openly swatted and groped" their buttocks while he roamed around the show's set as the contestants were dressed in dance costumes; they alleged that his behaviour was "openly accepted" by the programme's production company.

[21] The 14-page document Rolling Stone magazine obtained alleges that after a wrap party in May 2003, Lythgoe took an "unusual interest" in the Jane Does, and then proceeded to try to force himself on them without their consent.

[23] In a statement to Variety, Lythgoe said that "I have informed the producers of 'So You Think You Can Dance' of my decision to step back from participating in this year's series.

[25] On 5 March 2024, a new sexual assault lawsuit was filed against Lythgoe in the Los Angeles Superior Court, according to documents which were obtained by Us Weekly.