David Walliams has apologised for his comments (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)
David Walliams could be cut from the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel over his vile remarks behind performers’ backs.
The children’s author and former Little Britain star has been met with a fierce backlash this week after calling one elderly performer the C-word three times after he walked off stage and making crude sexual remarks about a woman hopeful, according to a transcript leaked to a newspaper.
The slurs were picked up by a mic used to record chats between him and fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon at the London Palladium in January 2020.
An insider told The Daily Mail: ‘This could not have come at a worse time in terms of his return to BGT, the discussions are going on right now so David’s remarks have now become a huge part of the conversation.
‘He hasn’t signed any deal yet which has come as a relief because now there are options. It is a family show and this isn’t just a negative thing to happen, it is offensive to people.
‘It has left David in a very precarious position. There are some people involved in the show who point blank don’t want him back, there is a danger of this incident becoming part of the BGT narrative and nobody wants that.’
The transcript comes from an audition in January 2020 (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
It’s also reported that none of the current judging panel have put pen to paper for next year yet.
In the leaked transcript, the 51-year-old star said of the woman: ‘She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them but you don’t.’
He added: ‘I know, she’s just like, “Oh, f* off!” I was saying, she thinks you want to f*** 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.’
In the exchange with the elderly performer, it’s said they swapped banter from the stage and the contestant had left before Walliams called him the C-word.
There’s no suggestion the other judges made derogatory remarks (Picture: ITV)
He has since apologised for his comments, 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.’
Thames TV, which makes BGT, described his words as ‘inappropriate’, and added: ‘Even though it was private, those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show’s expectations.’
ITV said: ‘We do not condone the language, and have spoken to the producers. Duty of care towards all participants on our programmes is always of paramount importance.’
A spokesperson for BGT creator Simon Cowell and his firm Syco Entertainment said: ‘We were unaware of the alleged conversation until contacted by The Guardian.
‘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.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Thames TV and David Walliams for comment.
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It’s said his future is unclear.
