Former judge, Simon Cowell.

DO Ellen, Kara and Randy need to go? Yes, they do, according to former American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

Nigel left his post in 2008 to focus on So You Think you Can Dance but is poised to make a return to Idol in its hour of need as a fourth judge as execs struggle to find a replacement for Simon Cowell. But there’s also talk that he continues to champion an early idea to replace the current crop of judges totally.

“I think over the last couple of years, the show has been about the judges, whether it was Kara [DioGuardi] or Paula [Abdul] leaving or Ellen DeGeneres joining,” said Nigel to E! in April.

“It shouldn’t be about the judges,” he continued. “It should be about the young talent. And once we get that into focus, the show will be successful again.”

Among the (long) list of names of those being considered to replace Simon, Justin Timberlake and now Elton John have been added to the wish list, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Nigel believes Elton is “capable of knowing what’s needed,” and has also praised Usher who he believes “knows exactly what’s going on in the moment”.

Chris Isaak, Bret Michaels and former guest mentor Harry Connick Jr have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

Who do you think would make the perfect replacement for the biting Englishman?

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