David Walliams has reportedly quit Britain’s Got Talent after 10 years on the judging panel.
The comedian is set to leave the ITV show ahead of its 2023 series, weeks after he was forced to apologise for describing an elderly contestant as a c*** and making vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part.
A source told The Sun: ‘He hasn’t taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.’
He’s off! David Walliams has reportedly quit Britain’s Got Talent after 10 years on the judging panel
It’s thought that show bosses are already lining up a replacement before filming commences next year.
An insider added: ‘David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.
‘His team have quietly been having conversations over the past few days where it has been made clear that David is readying himself to step down – and then producers will start to think about who might replace him.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for David Walliams and BGT for comment.
It comes after fellow judge Amanda Holden publicly negotiated her Britain’s Got Talent contract with Simon Cowell live on stage.
The TV personality, 51, has been a judge on the ITV talent show for 15 years and is in talks to sign up for her 16th year.
However, Amanda opted to bring up their contractual arrangements while introducing her boss at Monday’s Variety Club Showbusiness Awards as she told him ‘The deal is not done.’
Having her say: Amanda Holden publicly negotiated her Britain’s Got Talent contract with Simon Cowell live on stage
Amanda began by giving a gushing tribute to her pal, 61, ahead of him receiving the Exceptional Generosity in philanthropy gong, reports The Mirror.
But swiftly putting the niceties aside, Amanda then joked about her contract, telling the crowd: ‘I am currently in negotiations for my 16th year on Britain’s Got Talent.’
To which the music mogul then replied: ‘The deal is done.’
Deal? Amanda opted to bring up their contractual arrangements while introducing her boss at Monday’s Variety Club Showbusiness Awards as she told him ‘The deal is not done’
However, Amanda was keen to play hardball in from off the audience as she cheekily then quipped: ‘No it is not. The deal is not done.’
Amanda looked sensational on the night, slipping into a super high thigh split teal gown for the ceremony at London Hilton in Park Lane.
While the blonde beauty negotiated her place on the panel, it appears that co-star David Walliams’ judging spot is not guaranteed.
Role: The TV personality, 51, has been a judge on the ITV talent show for 15 years and is in talks to sign up for her 16th year (pictured with David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon L-R)
Oti Mabuse is being considered as a replacement for David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent, following his vile remarks about two of the show’s contestants.
Bosses of the reality programme have discussed how Miss Mabuse – a former professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly – would be perfect for the role.
She is currently at the centre of a tug of war between ITV and the BBC, who both want her to star on their shows because of her overwhelming popularity.
Important: swiftly putting the niceties aside, Amanda then joked about her contract, telling the crowd: ‘I am currently in negotiations for my 16th year on Britain’s Got Talent’
wow: Amanda looked sensational on the night, slipping into a super high thigh split teal gown for the ceremony at London Hilton in Park Lane
A television insider told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Oti’s name is in the frame. She is being touted as the perfect replacement for Walliams if ITV decide not to take him back.
‘There are multiple conversations taking place as negotiations are currently taking place but Oti is a clear route many involved in BGT want to take. They think she would be perfect.’
Miss Mabuse, 32, made her debut as a television judge on another of Simon Cowell’s programmes, The Greatest Dancer, in 2018 and he grew very fond of her.
Uh oh: While the blonde beauty negotiated her place on the panel, it appears that co-star David Walliams’ judging spot is not guaranteed
Bosses of the reality programme have discussed how Miss Mabuse – a former professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly – would be perfect for the role on BGT.
After she quit Strictly last year, the South African dancer was poached by ITV to be on the judging panel of their skating competition, Dancing On Ice. They also made her the presenter of her own dating show, Romeo And Duet.
But the BBC then took her back for a new quiz show, The Tower, which she has recently filmed for the broadcaster.
Walliams’s future on BGT remains in doubt after he described an elderly contestant as a c*** and made vile sexual remarks about a female who was also competing on the show.
The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up on the programme’s microphones and revealed earlier this month.
Walliams’s future on BGT remains in doubt after he described an elderly contestant as a c*** and made vile sexual remarks about a female who was also competing on the show
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