Inside David Walliams' ‘disrespectful comments’ that sparked Britain's Got Talent axe

After bursting into the spotlight as one half of the famed Little Britain duo, comedian David Walliams successfully transitioned into the world of storytelling as a children’s author and then returned to screens as a judge on ITV’s hit competition series, Britain’s Got Talent. He joined the star-studded panel in 2012, where he famously helped contestants reach stardom alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.

However, after 10 years on the show, David was fired and replaced by former Strictly Come Dancing judge, Bruno Tonioli. In 2022, the 53-year-old made his exit after The Guardian revealed he had been recorded making disparaging remarks while filming a 2020 episode. It was reported that he was still offered a new Britain’s Got Talent contract even though the production company were aware that David had made derogatory and sexually explicit remarks about two contestants

While filming the 2020 episode, the judge was recorded referring to a contestant as a “c***” and said: “She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t,” about another.

At the time, David apologised for his remarks and said in a statement: “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 spokesperson for BGT's production company, Thames, addressed the comments and said at the time that Walliams's language was “inappropriate” and that “those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show's expectations as to future professional conduct.”

Although David didn’t formally announce his exit from the talent show, many fans were surprised to hear about his departure and Bruno's prompt arrival as his replacement.

However, the fallout didn’t end there. The comedian went on to sue Fremantle, the show’s makers, at the High Court.

He claimed the company had committed a massive breach of data protection laws by “recording, transcribing and retaining” private chats for a whole decade. In legal documents related to the writ, Walliams revealed that he found himself grappling with dark, suicidal thoughts following his BGT exit.

A 21-page legal document linked to the lawsuits sees lawyers for Walliams claim: “The Claimant (Walliams) now understands that, unknown to him at the time, his microphone was kept on and recording throughout the whole filming day, including breaks, during his whole tenure as a judge on the show.”

The papers went on to claim Walliams now feels scared to go into a studio because he's worried what he says “could be recorded and leaked without his consent”.

His lawyers added that because of this, Walliams "has lost the ability to be spontaneous or edgy - in short, to be funny.”

On Monday, November 27, it was reported that David and Fremantle had reached an undisclosed settlement.

In a statement via PA News agency, a spokesperson for Fremantle said: “We are pleased that we have achieved an amicable resolution of this dispute with David.

“We are sincerely sorry that his private conversations when a judge on Britain's Got Talent were published, and the great distress this caused David.”

They continued: “We have reviewed our production practices on the show to ensure they fully respect the expectations of our talent whilst satisfying the requirements of the show. We have enjoyed a great relationship with David over many years.

“We thank David for being an important part of the Britain's Got Talent family and the enduring success of the show, and hope to have opportunities to work with him in the future.”