Pop star Paula's sexual assault lawsuit against TV Nigel

Singer claims boss grabbed her in hotel lift and on sofa

- JOHN SIDDLE

SINGER Paula Abdul says TV mogul Nigel Lythgoe sexually assaulted her when they worked together on reality shows, according to US media.

Paula, 61, claims the abuse happened when she was a judge on his programmes American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

She is suing the 74-year-old Brit nicknamed Nasty Nigel for his jibes at wannabes as a judge on Popstars - and various production firms.

Court papers say he groped her in a hotel lift during regional auditions for "one of the first seasons" of American Idol in the early 2000s.

Documents allege: "Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat.

"Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her.

"When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room.