David Walliams is reportedly quitting his role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent after 10 years in the job, with a spokesperson for the show confirming that his role in the next series is 'very much up in the air'.
The legendary comedian and TV star is said to have mulled over the decision for some time but feels it's the right time to go.
A source within the industry leaked the news to The Sun, telling the newspaper: "He hasn’t taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.
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“David has decided to bow out after a 10-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.
"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.”
The insider claimed there is now work underway to replace the staple of the judging panel.
While his departure has not yet been officially announced, a spokesperson for the show confirmed that the future of Walliams' involvement in the long-running talent show competition was uncertain.
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They said in a statement to the Press Association: “The judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent 2023 will be announced in due course.
“It’s still very much up in the air at the moment on whether David is going to take part in next year’s show.
“No decision, though, has been made as yet.”
LADbible has reached out to both ITV and Walliams for comment.
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The news follows recently leaked audio recordings that were made by Walliams at the judge’s table during the filming of a previous season of Britain’s Got Talent.
Walliams reportedly made the remarks while at the London Palladium in January 2020 during the audition round of that year’s show.
The transcript, which was published by The Guardian, shows Walliams made comments about two separate contestants after they’d left the stage.
His remarks were picked up by microphones placed near the judges’ desk in the middle of the auditorium.
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The recording equipment in question was used to capture candid remarks made between judges for potential broadcast.
One incident involved an older performer who made a jibe about Walliams while on stage.
After the judges decided not to advance him to the next stage of the competition, the performer left the stage, and once he was out of earshot, Walliams reportedly described the man as a ‘c**t’ three times.
In another incident, Walliams reportedly made lewd comments about a female contestant after she’d walked off stage.
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He said: “She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don’t,” before repeating “She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t.”
The star added: “I know, she’s just like: ‘Oh, f**k off!’ I was saying, she thinks you want to fuck 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 boner, but now it’s going, it’s now shrivelled up inside my body.”
Lawyers for both Walliams and Thames TV - BGT’s production company - told The Guardian that the star’s comments were not intended for broadcast and part of a private conversation.
The Little Britain star 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 Thames TV emphasised that the company regarded Walliams’ comments as private, but did admit that his language was ‘inappropriate’.
ITV have also spoken against Walliams' comments, saying that duty of care towards the contestants was 'of paramount importance'.
A spokesperson said: “We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.”
Featured Image Credit: ITV/PA Images/Alamy Stock PhotoTopics: David Walliams, Britains Got Talent, Celebrity