Lythgoe: Idol contest wide open

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has said he thinks the next American Idol title is "anyone's to lose".

Six contestants are left to battle for the show's title, but Nigel said he thought the winner would depend on song choices.

"We've never had anybody win the vote two weeks on the run," he explained.

"It could be anybody, absolutely anybody - I would have put money on Colter a couple of weeks ago, and he's gone.

"They've all got great voices, so it's their title to lose rather than win, just by choosing the wrong song."

Nigel, speaking at the launch of Brit Week in Los Angeles, said he thought the show's enduring success was down to wish fulfilment.

"I don't think it's about anything other than the young talent, it's about watching the American Dream come true," he said.

"You're a burger flipper one day, a million dollar star the next."