American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe is leaving his key position with the FOX talent competition just as the top-rated show in America prepares to enter its eighth season this January.

“I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on American Idol….” the English television mogul says in a statement.

FOX called Lythgoe an extraordinary producer, adding that they are “disappointed” to see the him go:

“He is an extraordinarily talented producer whose creative contributions to the No. 1 show on television have been immeasurable,” the network said early Tuesday.

National auditions for the next season of Idol are currently under way. American Idol 8 premieres on FOX January 16.