Simon Cowell has addressed the departure of David Walliams from his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the exit of the actor and comedian.
Last year, it was announced that Walliams would be stepping down after a decade on the show, with BGT stating that his return was uncertain.
The decision came after leaked audio recordings of Walliams making derogatory comments about Britain’s Got Talent contestants surfaced.
In the recordings, Walliams reportedly called one contestant who failed to advance in the competition a derogatory term multiple times.
Another recording captured Walliams making disparaging remarks about another contestant, likening her to a “slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don’t.”
Walliams and Thames TV claimed that the comments were part of a private conversation and not intended for broadcast, and Walliams issued an apology while the production company deemed his language “inappropriate.”
Cowell, in an interview with The Sun, described Walliams as mostly “very respectful and emotional” towards the talent show contestants, and expressed his disappointment upon learning about the comments.
However, he believed that it was not a constant occurrence, stating, “I didn’t really get involved in the decision. From what I understand, he decided to take a step back.”
Cowell further explained that the decision was made relatively quickly while he was on holiday, and the producers had the final say in selecting Walliams’ replacement.
He acknowledged that there were inputs from various parties, including the network and production company Fremantle, and emphasised that the comments made by Walliams were unacceptable.
“Obviously everyone had some input – the network, the producers Fremantle, all of us said at the time, these comments are completely unacceptable. I had not heard them before and, yeah, it was upsetting. But from where I’m sitting, this wasn’t something I believe was constant,” Cowell said.
Walliams has since been replaced by Bruno Tonioli, a judge from Strictly Come Dancing, who has already made waves by breaking one of the show’s rules.
Tonioli hit the golden buzzer, which automatically advances an act to the next round, during a performance by dance group Ghetto Kids, before the other judges had a chance to weigh in.
Despite the breach of protocol, Cowell found the incident amusing and was pleased with the outcome.
“I thought, ‘You definitely haven’t watched the show.’ But everyone came away from it really happy, so no harm was done,” Cowell commented.
Meanwhile, some fans of Britain’s Got Talent have expressed missing Walliams, particularly his humorous jabs at Cowell. Many have hoped for his return to the show in some capacity.
The departure of Walliams and the subsequent changes in the judging panel have brought attention to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Britain’s Got Talent.
Cowell’s insights have shed light on the decision-making process and the importance of upholding appropriate conduct among the judges. As the show continues, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season and the performances of talented contestants from across the UK.
