David Walliams’ expected departure from Britain’s Got Talent has sparked a frantic search for a suitable replacement.
Show bosses are said to favour a male comedian because Walliams’ constant banter with head judge Simon Cowell was a huge part of the appeal.
Alan Carr, who is best pals with panellist Amanda Holden, is a frontrunner, along with comedian Mo Gilligan, Top Gear's Paddy McGuinness and chat show show Jonathan Ross.
One insider said: “They are after a male judge who needs to be funny. David leaves a big hole to fill and they need to get this right. The future of the show could depend on it.”
Walliams, 51, has yet to confirm he will quit after 10 years, following remarks he made while recording a show in 2020.
A show spokesman said: “The judging panel will be announced in due course. It’s still very much up in the air on whether David is going to take part.”
But Walliams is expected to stand down two weeks after it emerged he called an elderly contestant a “c***” several times while off-air.
The children’s author also said of a young female contestant: “She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t.”
It was reported yesterday he wants to “leave on a high”.
A pal said: “He hasn’t taken the decision lightly, but it feels like time to focus on other projects.”
After David's comments in 2020 were made available to the public, Simon refused to confirm whether the comedian would be returning to the next series.
"Ask me in a few weeks," he responded when quizzed on the matter by the Daily Star.
Walliams, who has apologised, will appear next month with Sheridan Smith in BBC ’s Gangsta Granny Strikes Again, an adaptation of his book.
