David Walliams has been noticeably absent from Britain’s Got Talent for the past few years and has kept a low profile on TV, with the exception of a Comic Relief special in 2023 that sparked mixed reactions from fans.
Despite this, he remains active on social media through an Instagram account managed by his team and continues to make occasional public appearances. So, what led to his exit, and what has he been up to?
Why Did David Walliams Leave BGT?
While David has not publicly addressed the exact reason for stepping down from his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, it is widely speculated that his departure is connected to the controversy surrounding inappropriate comments he made about a contestant in 2020.
In November 2022, a leaked transcript published by The Guardian revealed that David made explicit and offensive remarks about two contestants during filming breaks. Following the leak, it was announced that Strictly Come Dancing star Bruno Tonioli would be replacing him.
David later issued a statement apologizing for his comments: “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.”
He also filed a lawsuit against the production company Fremantle for the mishandling of private information, which was reportedly resolved amicably.
David Walliams’ Feud with Simon Cowell
David’s time as a judge on BGT alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon was marked by a decade of partnership, but not all relationships have remained cordial.
David has been outspoken about his frustrations with Simon. On a podcast he co-hosts with Matt Lucas, David shared a story where his mother baked a cake for Simon, but he complained that it was dry. David remarked, “I think he can’t do anything without judging. Bit of a downer, isn’t it?”
David has also humorously referenced Simon in interviews. When discussing how he comes up with villainous characters for his children’s books on This Morning, David joked, “Whenever I’m trying to think of an evil villain, I always think: ‘What would Simon Cowell do?'”
