Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams has issued an apology after reportedly making rude and inappropriate comments about contestants auditioning for the ITV talent show.
The remarks were made during a recorded audition show at the London Palladium in January 2020 and transcripts of the conversations were leaked to the Guardian, who were told by lawyers for the comedian and writer and for production company Thames TV, that they were part of a private conversation not intended for broadcast.
One of the incidents was about an older performer who made a jibe about Walliams during an unsuccessful audition while another was about a female contestant on the same show. The comments were picked up by microphones used to capture discussions between judges sat at the desk.
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In a statement, 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.”
A Thames spokesperson said 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”.
Walliams’ comments were the only instances of derogatory remarks about contestants in leaked transcripts from three episodes that were reviewed by the Guardian. There is no suggestion that Simon Cowell or any other judge made offensive remarks about contestants.
A spokesperson for Cowell and Syco Entertainment, the co-producer of Britain’s Got Talent, 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.”
Walliams’ remarks about contestants are likely to raise questions about his conduct on the hit show, and contribute to the ongoing debate about the ethics of reality TV and its treatment of members of the public.
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