David Walliams has filed a court case against the production team behind Britain's Got Talent. Here's why.
The 52-year-old actor and comedian announced he was resigning from the show in November 2022 after a transcript from one of the audition shows was leaked.
The transcript - seen by the Guardian - revealed certain 'disrespectful' comments made by Walliams about contestants during a London Palladium show in January 2020.
Walliams used explicit language, such as referring to a constant as a 'c**t,' according to the Guardian.
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The comedian also reportedly said about a female contestant: "She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don’t.
"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 boner, but now it’s going, it’s now shrivelled up inside my body."
Shortly after the transcript was obtained by the Guardian and made public, Walliams issued an apology.
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His statement read: "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."
Walliams has since revealed he's suing the production company behind the show - Fremantle Media.
The High Court case has been filed under his real name David Edward Williams and is related to data protection, however no other details have yet been made public.
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Thames TV - which is the entertainment label of Fremantle in the UK - told Sky News: "Although relating to a private conversation almost three years ago, the language used was inappropriate.
"Even though it was private, those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show's expectations as to future professional conduct."
A spokesperson for ITV said: "We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain's Got Talent.
"Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners."
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LADbible has contacted Fremantle for a comment.
Topics: UK News, David Walliams, Celebrity, Britains Got Talent, TV and Film, ITV
Poppy Bilderbeck