Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams has been forced to make an apology after making derogatory comments about contestants who have appeared on the ITV show.
Leaked recordings have surfaced of conversations between David, 51, and an unknown person in which he makes disrespectful remarks about several people who auditioned for the programme at the London Palladium in 2020.
David, who has been a judge on Britain's Got Talent for ten years, described a contestant as a "c**t", before claiming another would think the judge wanted to "f**k her".
The recordings have been obtained by The Guardian. Walliams went on to comment about the female contestant, by saying: "I know, she's just like: 'Oh, f**k off!' I was saying, she thinks you want to f**k her, but you don't.
"It's the last thing on your mind, but she's like: 'Yep, I bet you do!' 'No I don't!' I had a bit of a b***r, but now it’s going, it's now shrivelled up inside my body."
The comedian, who is best known for sketch shows as well as being a best-selling children's author has since 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."
There is no suggestion that David's fellow judges including Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell were aware of the comments, nor is there a suggestion hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly knew.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Thames TV, the production company behind Britain's Got Talent, explained that despite David's comments being made in a private conversation, they were "inappropriate" and he has been informed about the "expectations as to future professional conduct".
They said: "Although relating to a private conversation almost three years ago, the language used was inappropriate. Even though it was private, those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show's expectations as to future professional conduct."
A spokesperson for Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment, who also act as co-producers, said: "We were unaware of the alleged conversation until contacted by the Guardian, and whilst it is not suggested Simon heard the alleged remarks, we can confirm he did not. Britain's Got Talent is a family show and we do not condone the use of any such language."
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