Amanda Holden has admitted she was sad over her former co-star’s exit (Picture: PA)
Amanda Holden has admitted how sad she was over David Walliam’s Britain’s Got Talent exit, after claims the former judge is taking legal action against the show’s production company.
It was claimed earlier this year that the 52-year-old comedian and children’s author was seeking ‘significant damages’ after he stepped down from the talent show in November, before being replaced by Bruno Tonioli.
He was axed from the programme when an expletive rant including vile comments he made about a contestant were leaked, which Simon Cowell later branded as ‘unacceptable and upsetting’.
Walliams later apologised for his offensive comments.
Details from court papers have since allegedly been revealed, with Walliams said to be demanding £10million in damages after claiming that Fremantle Media, the company that distributes BGT, recorded conversations that he believed to be private for 10 years.
However, it has been claimed that BGT bosses insist Walliams knew his disgusting words could have been put on air, after a format change in 2018, which could see all off-air comments made by the judges aired.
Media mogul Simon has unfollowed Walliams on Instagram, but Amanda has admitted she’s still talking to him.
David Walliams was axed from BGT after a recording was leaked (Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Walliams later apologised for his comments (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterst)
In a new interview, the radio presenter said: ‘We love David.’
She clarified to The Sun: ‘Well, Alesha and I love David.
‘It was sad when he went.
‘I’m in touch with him. Always. We’re always supportive of David.’
Talking about former Strictly judge Bruno replacing Walliams, she added: ‘It’s always worrying when things change.
Bruno Tonioli stepped in as a judge this series (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
‘But Simon is the king of reinvention. Panels can always do with a little freshen-up, and it worked. I think the ratings were higher than previously.’
Prior to the start of auditions for last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Walliams came under fire over leaked recordings which exposed his scathing remarks about contestants.
He later apologised for his offensive comments, stating: ‘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.’
At the time, Amanda publicly backed Walliams, saying she was ‘team David’.
‘I would like to see the judging panel look like it did before. I think we’re a great team, we’re a family,’ she said to Good Morning Britain.
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‘We love David’