David Walliams and Simon Cowell's friendship 'on the rocks' as comic sues BGT

27 September 2023 , 07:27

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David is suing Fremantle

David Walliams and Simon Cowell's friendship is "on the rocks" as the comic sues Britain's Got Talent, it's been reported.

This comes ten months after he left his £1.5million-a-year job as a judge in 2022. It's said he is seeking significant damages from the London-based Fremantle, which produces the show for ITV.

Legal paperwork suggests that the comedian is accusing bosses of leaking the details of his rude comments, which is why he left, to a newspaper. Court papers lodged at the High Court in London accuse the firm of data protection breach over the leaked transcript.

Walliams is not suing Simon Cowell, but it is thought that there is "some distance" between them now. 52-year-old David left BGT last November two weeks after he was caught calling an elderly contestant a "c***" during a filming break.

David left BGT in 2022 (ITV)

As well as this, he was heard talking about a female contestant, calling her a "slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don't". Comedian Clare Harrison Mccartney later said the comments were about her and called Walliams a "sad misogynist". However, producers went on toe deny this was about her.

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At the time The Sun said a source said: "He hasn't taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on. David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.

"His team have quietly been having conversations over the past few days where it has been made clear that David is readying himself to step down – and then producers will start to think about who might replace him."

Bruno Tonioli, who was a former judge on Strictly Come Dancing, was announced to be the star who was replacing David on the judging panel.

In an apology statement to the Guardian, Walliams said: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain's Got Talent in 2020. These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry."

Charlotte Everett