Nigel Lythgoe denies rumored Idol death threat

This story just gets crazier and funnier by the hour. TMZ earlier reported that a source  Nicki Minaj threatened Mariah Carey, saying "If I had a gun I would shoot her."

Nigel Lythgoe has now denied those claims saying that Minaj and Carey talked about the supposed threat this morning and Minaj denied. He also said that Carey's people are "stirring the pot", and giving her bad info. Lord.

Read the story:

Nigel Lythgoe tells TMZ, "The statement [that Nicki made a death threat] is absolute rubbish.  It's absolutely not true in any way, shape or form."  Nigel added that Mariah confronted Nicki this morning and asked if she made the death threat and Nicki said absolutely not.  Nigel says Mariah's people are stirring the pot and gave her bad info. Image: 0314_divider_graphic Nicki Minaj's rant on the "American Idol" set Tuesday went way beyond name-calling ... she threatened Mariah Carey's life -- this according to sources connected to the production.

Our sources say ... in the heat of the argument, Nicki said, "If I had a gun I would shoot her."

The alleged threat was not captured on the video obtained by TMZ.  But this is interesting ... if you listen to the audio closely, 11 seconds in you hear Nicki say to Mariah, "Off with your head! Off with your head!."

A source close to Nicki says the singer calls B.S. on the death threat allegation

Source: TMZ