Nigel Lythgoe and Imran Khan to headline Australian Radio conference and Awards

 

British television talent, well-known for his work in light entertainment, and judge on the American hit show, “So You Think You Can Dance”, Nigel Lythgoe, will headline this year’s Australian Radio Conference and Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs), along with Imran Khan, renowned Pakistani cricketer and politician. Both events will be held on the Gold Coast in October.  

Mr Lythgoe, currently the President of 19 Television, is well -known for producing “Pop Idol” from which “American Idol” was born.  He was also responsible for bringing “American Gladiators” to the UK and was a producer and judge on the British version of “Popstars”, where he was nicknamed “Nasty Nigel”, for being tough on competitors.

He will talk about creating celebrities through television and radio shows.

Formerly an employee of London Weekend Television, where he was Head of Entertainment and Comedy, Mr Lythgoe joined Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment in 2001 and developed the concept of “Idol” which became a huge hit around the world.

The show on which he is resident judge, “So You Think You Can Dance”, recently picked up two Emmys for its choreography.  Mr Lythgoe trained as a dancer, originally working as part of the song and dance group, Young Generation.

He will be joined at the radio conference and Awards, by Pakistani cricketer and politician, Imran Khan, who will talk about the importance of radio in communities.  Mr Khan played for the Pakistani cricket team from 1971 to 1992, and led them as captain to his country’s first and only World Cup victory in1992.  He is known as one of the finest all-rounder’s in the history of the game.

In 1996, Mr Khan founded the Movement for Justice political party in Pakistan. He served over five years as an elected politician and last year, spent time under house-arrest for speaking out against the then Pakistani Government of the day.

This year’s Australian Radio Conference will be held at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast on October 10. The annual conference is a highlight for the Australian radio industry and has featured legendary keynote speakers over the past few years including the voice of The Simpsons, Harry Shearer; the world’s funniest man, John Cleese; Sir Bob Geldof, Barry Humphries; astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, Clive James and director Bruce Beresford.  More speakers for the conference will be announced shortly.

The ACRAs will be held the following night on October 11, and will also feature Mr Lythgoe and Mr Khan.