26 September 2023 , 17:20
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David Walliams’s explosive exit from Britain’s Got Talent is back in the spotlight now he is suing the makers of the ITV show after he sensationally left the series last year.
The 52-year-old was a judge on the long-running talent show from 2012 until November 2022 - when he left under a cloud of controversy. A transcript from the filming of the show was leaked weeks before his exit from the series was announced - with allegations he had made derogatory comments about contestants.
The leaked conversations were reported to have occurred during filming at London Palladium in 2020 - but they were not exposed until November 2022. In the reported conversations, David was quoted describing one contestant as a “c**t” before claiming another contestant would think the judge wanted to "f**k her".
The claims were published by The Guardian which claimed the judge was caught on audio speaking with an unknown person. Transcripts alleged that David had called one male contestant a "c**t" on three occasions - after the contestant who was described as a “pensioner” appeared to make a lighthearted jibe at the TV star.
David Walliams exited Britain's Got Talent under a cloud of controversey in November 2022 (ITV)While another comment that drew scrutiny occurred when a female hopeful exited the stage and David was reportedly heard saying: "She's like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don't. She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don't." The vulgar comments soon put an end to David’s BGT career - with reports stating he had exited the show two weeks after the original allegations went viral.
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The Sun claimed David decided to quit on his own accord following furore over the alleged comments. A source told the publication on 25 November 2022: "David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time. Being on the show has been a huge source of entertainment and joy for him and he is arguably the most popular member of the panel.”
In due course, David’s exit was confirmed by the fact he was replaced by Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel. The Mirror were the first to report Bruno’s appointment in January, with a source saying: “Bruno has all the right experience and his famous exuberance will go down a treat. He and Simon have long hoped to work together so this has proved the perfect opportunity. Everyone’s very excited.”
And Bruno himself confirmed the news two week later, saying in a statement: “This is the biggest show on British TV, now that I’m here. I mean it. Simon is going to hate that I’ve said that but oh well… I have been in showbiz for 50 years now and I’ve worked with everyone from Tina Turner and French and Saunders to Michael Caine, so I know when something works and I know why it works. I know what this job needs."
David is still listed as a judge on Australia's Got Talent - having joined the panel Down Under in 2022. He has a chair alongside Home & Away actress Kate Ritchie, BGT UK judge Alesha Dixon and Aussie actor Shane Jacobson. However, the show has not aired in Australia since 2022 - or since David's exit from the UK version of the global franchise series.