Nigel Lythgoe has poked fun at Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle by comparing her to cartoon ogre Shrek.

It’s the kind of comment you expect from Sharon Osbourne, in fact it’s the kind of comment that she’s already made, but we would never have expected So You Think You Can Dance boss Nigel Lythgoe to stoop so low.

The Sunday Express claims that while addressing the Oxford Union in February, the man who gave Simon Cowell his first break lamented the fact that Susan Boyle had been “made to look like a fool” since she shot to fame. He said:

“I don’t think she’s ready for it. It’s quite frightening. It’ll affect all shows like this if something happens to her or to someone else who has been made to look like a fool.”

He then proceeded to mock her himself by describing her as looking “a little bit like Shrek’s older sister with trained caterpillars for eyebrows”.

Talking about “The Culture of Disposable Celebrity” Nigel is also reported to have said:

“I can talk about disposable celebrities – I’ve created most of them. The truth is, most celebrities are media-whores who will do most anything to remain in the spotlight. Years ago it was believed you were famous because you were great.

“Nowadays it appears you’re great because you’re famous. Some observers believe that being in the public eye is a talent in itself. There’s no-one better at doing that than Paris Hilton. I am truly not sure what that woman is famous for.”