Why is David Walliams missing from Britain’s Got Talent?

The comedian, who joined the show in 2012, was replaced by Bruno Tonioli ahead of the new season.

By Lauren Morris

Published: Saturday, 15 April 2023 at 12:00 am

ITV’s long-running entertainment show Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens this weekend with a new group of performers all hoping to wow the judges and the audience.

Much of BGT will look the same, from the talent on the London and Manchester stages to the return of hosts Ant and Dec, but there have been a couple of changes.

There will be more Golden Buzzers than ever before on this year’s show, as revealed by judge Simon Cowell.

“We have eight,” he said. “I don’t want to give too much away but there was one Golden Buzzer moment. I think in all the years, I’ve done this show because, you know, it wasn’t really supposed to happen because we run out [of buzzers].

“It was kind of chaotic at this moment because the audience really dictated it, they did not let this go [for this act]. They’re not going to leave. So we kind of said you know what, why don’t we just give the audience a Golden Buzzer.”

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Ant & Dec, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli for Britain’s Got Talent
ITV/Thames

But the biggest change is the arrival of new judge, Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli, who will be deciding the contestants’ fate alongside Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.

He has replaced Little Britain actor David Walliams, who joined the show in 2012 and would seemingly be part of the furniture forever. But that all changed following a controversy that made headlines up and down the country.

Read on for a full rundown about why Walliams is no longer a judge on BGT.

Why did David Walliams leave Britain’s Got Talent? 

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David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden on Britain’s Got Talent.  Syco/Thames/ITV

While David Walliams had been on the Britain’s Got Talent panel since 2012, it was confirmed that he would not be back for this year’s episodes.

Walliams hit the headlines last year after “inappropriate” remarks he had made about contestants came to light.

In November 2022, The Guardian reported that Walliams had referred to one Britain’s Got Talent contestant as a “c**t” and said about another, “she thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t”, during breaks in filming Britain’s Got Talent’s 2020 season.

Walliams apologised for the “disrespectful comments” in a statement to RadioTimes.com, saying: “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, a spokesperson for BGT’s production company Thames said that the language used was “inappropriate” and that “those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show’s expectations as to future professional conduct”, while Simon Cowell added: “Britain’s Got Talent is a family show and we do not condone the use of any such language.”

While Walliams never officially announced his departure from Britain’s Got Talent, The Sun reported later that month that the comedian was set to quit the show and would not be featuring in the new season – however, a source told RadioTimes.com that no decision had been made on the judging panel at that time.

In January 2023, ITV confirmed that David Walliams would not be returning to Britain’s Got Talent by announcing the new judging panel, consisting of Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and new face Bruno Tonioli.

Who has replaced David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent?

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Bruno Tonioli for Britain’s Got Talent.
ITV

In January this year, ITV revealed that Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli would be replacing David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent.

The entertainer and dancer said in a statement: “Here we are, Britain’s Got Talent. I am so excited. It’s my first show, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.”

The Italian choreographer is best known for judging Strictly Come Dancing (2004-2019) and Dancing with the Stars in the US, having previously choreographed music videos and stage shows for the likes of Tina Turner, Sir Elton John, Boy George and others.

Speaking of Tonioli’s new role, former Strictly star Gethin Jones said that he thought the ex-judge would “absolutely” do well on the show.

“He’s an entertainer by trade. That’s what he does. So they’re just going to have to try and stop him from getting up and singing himself.”