What did David Walliams say in foul-mouthed BGT rant and why is he suing the production company?
It was revealed David Walliams is suing his former bosses at Britain’s Got Talent – 10 months after he was axed from his £1.5million-a-year role as a judge.
The comedian is seeking significant damages from London-based Fremantle, which produces the reality series on ITV‘s behalf, with legal paperwork suggesting that he is accusing bosses there of leaking details of his rude comments to a newspaper.
Walliams, who is worth around £17million, quit the show last November, two weeks after he was caught calling an elderly contestant a ‘c***’ during a break in filming.
He was also heard disparaging a female contestant, calling her a ‘slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don’t’.
Read on for Walliams’ foul-mouthed rant in full and more details on why he has launched legal action against Fremantle.
What did David Walliams say in foul-mouthed BGT rant? Read on for Walliams’ foul-mouthed rant in full and more details on why he has launched legal action against Fremantle
What did David Walliams say in his Britain’s Got Talent rant?
The remarks are said to have taken place during a recorded audition show at the London Palladium in January 2020.
In one incident an older performer engaged in lighthearted banter with the judges in which he made a jibe about Walliams.
The pensioner left following the audition, after which Walliams is said to have described him as a ‘c**t’ three times.
Microphones used to record discussion between the judges picked up the comments.
In a separate incident a female contestant auditioning on the same show had walked off stage.
When her performance was over, Walliams remarked: ‘She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don’t.’
Walliams then reiterated: ‘She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t.’
He later added: ‘I know, she’s just like: “Oh, f**k off!” I was saying, she thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t.
‘It’s the last thing on your mind, but she’s like: “Yep, I bet you do!” 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.’
Payout: The comedian is seeking significant damages from London-based Fremantle (pictured on BGT with judges Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell)
What did David Walliams say about his rant?
In a statement after the recordings were made public, Walliams 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.’
In a statement, 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.’
Lawyers for Walliams and Thames TV, the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent, said the comments were part of a private conversation and were never intended for broadcast.
A spokesman for Thames said: ‘Although relating to a private conversation almost three years ago, the language used was inappropriate.
‘Even though it was private, those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show’s expectations as to future professional conduct.’
A spokesman for Cowell and Syco Entertainment, the co-producer of Britain’s Got Talent, said: ‘We were unaware of the alleged conversation until contacted by the Guardian, and whilst it is not suggested Simon heard the alleged remarks, we can confirm he did not.
‘Britain’s Got Talent is a family show and we do not condone the use of any such language.’
Replacement: Walliams stepped down from Britain’s Got Talent in November 2022. Former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli (pictured) took his place
Why is David Walliams suing the production company?
Court papers lodged at the High Court in London on September 21, under his real name of David Williams, accuse the firm of data protection breach over the leaked transcript which prompted a swift end to ten year long stint as a judge on the show.
While Walliams, 52, is not suing the programme’s boss Simon Cowell, it is understood that there is now ‘some distance’ between the two men, according to sources close to them both.
READ MORE: Who is team David? A look at the celebrities who are STILL standing by him
The star has hired legal company Brandsmiths, who specialise in data protection breaches.
Reports earlier this year claimed that Walliams quit BGT after the lewd and rude comments which he made during filming the show at the London Palladium in 2020 were exposed.
However, sources at the time suggested that he was actually pushed after a crisis management team was drafted in by Fremantle to manage the scandal which led to the former Little Britain comic apologising.
He and his lawyers argued at the time that they were private conversations that were never intended for broadcast but two weeks later he was ousted.
What do David Walliams’ BGT co-stars think?
Walliams and Simon Cowell’s friendship appears to be on the rocks as the comic sues his former bosses at Britain’s Got Talent.
And while David and Simon’s once close friendship is said to be on the brink of collapse, the comedian has a number of stars who are still supporting him in the wake of the controversy.
While Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are fiercely loyal to Cowell, they also formed a close friendship with David.
The comedian took his seat alongside them as a host of Britain’s Got Talent for ten years, before he stepped down from his role last year.
Former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli took his place. When Walliams announced he was departing the show, Holden said on The One Show: ‘We’ll miss David.’
Ant McPartlin, 47, has continued to show his support to Walliams in the wake of his BGT controversy by attending his birthday.
Pals: While Amanda and Alesha are fiercely loyal to Simon, they also formed a close friendship with David and were at his 52nd birthday party earlier this month
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