Entertainment
Matthew Morrison leaves So You Think You Can Dance after ‘not following production protocols’Kim NovakEntertainment – Metro
‘I cannot apologise enough to all involved.’
Matthew Morrison has announced he will no longer be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance after filming the audition rounds.
The Glee star, 43, had been a judge on the Fox dancing competition but revealed he was leaving just over a week after the season 17 premiere, which aired on May 18.
The reason for his departure was down to him ‘not following competition production protocols’, though it is not known what they were.
Matthew told People in a statement: ‘Having the opportunity to be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance was an incredible honour for me.
‘Therefore, it is my deepest regret to inform you that I will be leaving the show.
‘After filming the audition rounds for the show and completing the selection of the 12 finalists, I did not follow competition production protocols, preventing me from being able to judge the competition fairly.
‘I cannot apologise enough to all involved and I will be watching alongside you all on what I know will be one of the best seasons yet.’
The Tony Award nominee is likely to appear in some episodes of the show which have already been recorded, with a replacement expected to be brought in for the second part of the competition.
Matthew had been part of a new panel of judges for season 17, which saw Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy replaced by JoJo Sia and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, with Cat Deeley returning as host.
Nigel had previously been a permanent judge for the prior 16 seasons but revealed he ‘wasn’t asked’ to return after the two-year hiatus amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
More: US Showbiz news
He explained: ‘I am so thrilled that America’s young aspiring dance talent will get to work with some of our greatest creative choreographers.
‘On a personally sad note, I have not been asked to be on the judging panel this season.’
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