David Walliams has apologised for some derogatory comments after leaked recordings were made public this week.
Walliams reportedly made the remarks during filming of Britain’s Got Talent while sitting at the judge’s table.
The leaked transcript was recorded at the London Palladium in January 2020 during the audition round of that year’s show.
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The transcript, which has been published by The Guardian, shows that Walliams made the comments about two separate contestants after they’d left the stage.
Walliams’ remarks were picked up by microphones placed near the judges’ desk in the middle of the auditorium.
The recording equipment in question was used to capture candid remarks made between judges for potential broadcast.
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One incident involved an older performer who made a jibe about Walliams while on stage.
After the judges decided not to advance him to the next stage of the competition, the performer left the stage, and once he was out of earshot, Walliams reportedly described the man as a ‘c**t’ three times.
In another incident, Walliams reportedly made lewd comments about a female contestant after she’d walked off stage.
He said: “She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*ck them, but you don’t.” before repeating “She thinks you want to f*ck her, but you don’t.”
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Adding: “I know, she’s just like: ‘Oh, f*ck off!’ I was saying, she thinks you want to fuck 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 boner, but now it’s going, it’s now shrivelled up inside my body.”
Lawyers for both Walliams and Thames TV - BGT’s production company - argued to The Guardian that the star’s comments were not intended for broadcast and part of a private conversation.
The Little Britain star said in a statement: “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.”
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A spokesperson for Thames TV emphasised that the company regarded Walliams’ comments as private, but did admit that his language was ‘inappropriate’.
ITV have also spoken against Walliams' comments, saying that duty of care towards the contestants was 'of paramount importance'.
A spokesperson said: “We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.”
LADbible has reached out to Walliams and ITV for further comment.
Topics: David Walliams, Britains Got Talent
Aisha Nozari