BGT judge David Walliams has apologised for making ‘disrespectful comments’ about contestants
(Picture: Getty Images)Britain’s Got Talent judgeDavid Walliams has issued an apology for “disrespectful” comments he made about contestants during a recording of the ITV show.
In leaked transcripts obtained by The Guardian, Walliams, 51, was reportedly recorded referring to one contestant as a “c**t” and saying of another: “She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t.”
One incident is said to have occurred after an old aged pensioner auditioned unsuccessfully and made a joke at Walliams’ expense.
After he walked off stage, it is alleged that Walliams described him as “a c**t” three times.
Another reported instance came after a female auditioned for the family-friendly show, with Walliams reported to have remarked: “She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don’t.”
Walliams reiterated: “She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t.”The offensive remarks were said to have been made during a taped audition for the show at the London Palladium in January 2020.
It is believed that his comments were picked up by microphones used to capture discussions between the judges which are sometimes used in final cuts between auditions.
The publication states that lawyers for Walliams and Thames TV, the production company who make Britain’s Got Talent, argued the comments were part of a private conversation never intended for broadcast.
He is further alleged to have said: “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 Guardian states that it reviewed three episode transcripts and that there is no suggestion that offensive remarks about contestants were made by Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon or Amanda Holden, who make up the rest of the judging panel.
In a statement, Walliams told publication: “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.”
A Thames spokesperson added that even though the production company regarded Walliams’ comments as private, his language was “inappropriate” and he had been reminded of the show’s “expectations as to future professional conduct”.
The Standard contacted a representative for David Walliams for comment, who reiterated his statement in the The Guardian.
Walliams is one of the UK’s biggest television personalities and children’s book authors with number one-selling titles including Gangsta Granny and Spaceboy.
He has appeared on the TV talent show since 2012 and was subsequently recognised at the National Television Awards as the ‘Best Judge’ in 2015, 2018 and also in 2019.
