'American Idol' producer Lythgoe making a comeback

A familiar face is coming back to "American Idol," and it's not Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell.

Fox announced Thursday that British TV personality Nigel Lythgoe is returning to the singing competition in the producing role he left two years ago, The Associated Press reports.

Lythgoe originally served as "Idol" producer when it debuted in 2002. He left to focus on "So You Think You Can Dance," the Fox dancing contest he executive produces and judges.

Fox said Thursday that Lythgoe will continue on that show.

The reunion comes amid sweeping changes for the show's judging panel. Cowell left at the end of last season, and Ellen DeGeneres announced last week she would not return and several websited reported that Kara DioGuardi would not be back. Lythgoe will have final say on the new panel for Season 10, but yesterday's announcement did not specify if he would possibly serve as a new "Idol" judge.

So will Lythgoe's return perhaps signal the return of Abdul as well?

Clearly, Lythgoe is intrigued by the idea, despite the fact that Abdul is under contract to host a CBS dance-competition show.

"I still love Paula," Lythgoe told Variety. "She's signed to CBS, probably exclusively, but I'd recommend we have her in a heartbeat."

Lythgoe has previously spoken well about Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, both of whom have been widely reported as possible judges.