The new series of Britain’s Got Talent kicks off on Saturday, with former Strictly Come Dancing Bruno Tonioli making his debut on the judging panel.
But one noticeable absence from the judging panel will be David Walliams, who last year decided to quit the show after a decade on the panel.
Speculation was rife around who would replace David, and it was revealed in January that Bruno signed up for the show in a big-money deal.
He will join veteran judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell, when the auditions begin on April 15.
Why did David leave Britain’s Got Talent after being such a popular figure on the show? MailOnline has everything you need to know…
Why did David Walliams leave Britain’s Got Talent? The story behind the comic’s controversial exit as the series returns to screens
Why did David Walliams leave Britain’s Got Talent?
David decided to leave Britain’s Got Talent after he was forced to apologise for describing an elderly contestant as a ‘c***’ and making vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part.
The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up on the programme’s microphones and revealed in December 2022.
During the audition, an older performer engaged in banter with the judges in which he made a jibe about Walliams. After the audition, the pensioner left, at which point Walliams is said to have called him a ‘c***’ three times.
Another instance occurred after a female contestant auditioning on the same show had walked off stage.
David remarked: ‘She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don’t… It’s the last thing on your mind, but she’s like, ‘Yep, I bet you do!’ ‘
A source told The Sun: ‘He hasn’t taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.
‘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.’
Beloved: David was a favourite on the judging panel for 10 years, before quitting the series late last year (pictured far left with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell)
Shocking: David decided to leave Britain’s Got Talent after he was forced to apologise for describing a contestant as a ‘c***’ and making vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part
‘No I don’t! I had a bit of a b***r, but now it’s going, it’s now shrivelled up inside my body.’
Sources close to BGT had said that David’s return was ‘very much under threat’ and he was ‘under the microscope’, with some senior staff saying that he should be immediately axed.
In a statement to The Guardian, the Little Britain star said: ‘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.’
A spokesman for ITV said: ‘We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.
‘Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners.’
Meanwhile, sources at the London-based production company Thames said that they have provided enhanced training and education for BGT judges about their language and enhanced respect for contestants.
At the time Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell weighed into the scandal surrounding David after offensive remarks he made about Britain’s Got Talent contestants were leaked.
Despite the backlash, Amanda publicly backed her co-star during the uproar when she proudly declared herself ‘team David’.
Speaking about the future of Britain’s Got Talent, Amanda told Good Morning Britain: ‘I would like to see the judging panel look like it did before. I think we’re a great team, we’re a family.’
Drama: The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up on the programme’s microphones and revealed in December 2022
New face: David has been replaced on the judging panel by Bruno Tonioli, and the new series will kick off on Saturday, April 15
Asked directly if she was ‘Team David’, she replied: ‘Of course I’m team David.
Simon wasn’t as forthcoming when probed about his fellow judge in an interview with The Daily Star.
Asked about David’s conduct, Simon responded: ‘Can we not go there? If you don’t mind.’
He also insisted the judges weren’t the key to the success of the show, musing: ‘I think for me, the most important thing – and I had this conversation the other day. It’s always about the talent.
‘If you don’t have great talent, you don’t have a show,’ he said. ‘That’s all I care about.’
Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday, April 15 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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