David Walliams is reportedly quitting his judging role on ITV's Britain's Got Talent after a 10 year run on the programme.
The comedian's rumoured exit comes after he issued an apology earlier this year when "vile" comments he made off-camera about the talent show's contestants were leaked online.
David made the remarks during filming for the show in 2020, in which he called a pensioner a "c***" and made derogatory comments about female contestants. His words were revealed in a transcript from the ITV programme, the Mirror reports.
A source has since suggested that David will be leaving the show, which is a decision he is said to have "not taken lightly".
"David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time," an insider told The Sun.
"Being on the show has been a huge source of entertainment and joy for him and he is arguably the most popular member of the panel."
A source close to the judge said: "David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time."
A BGT spokesperson told The Mirror: "The judging panel for 2023 will be announced in due course."
The producers are reportedly considering who will be replacing David, who has judged on the show since 2012.
His co-stars Amanda Holden, 51, Alesha Dixon, 44, and Simon Cowell, 63, are all expected to return to the show.
It comes just after Simon refused to confirm earlier this month that David would still have a job at BGT.
Following the publication of David's leaked comments, Simon failed to say whether or not David will be returning for the next series of the hit talent show.
"Ask me in a few weeks," he responded when quizzed on the matter.
Simon went on to suggest that the current judging panel is not entirely needed, in order for the show to be successful and entertaining.
"For me the most important thing is the talent. It’s always about that. If you don’t have great talent, you don’t have a show. That’s all I care about," Simon told the Daily Star.
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