David Walliams is suing Britain’s Got Talent maker Fremantle, according to reports.
According to the BBC, the former judge on the ITV talent show has filed in London’s High Court an action listed as dealing with data protection against Fremantle label Thames.
Walliams was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent for 10 years until 2022 but last year a Guardian investigation found that he had made disrespectful comments about two contestants, which were leaked on a transcript. He was heard making explicit remarks about contestants during the recording of an episode of the talent show in January 2020. Thames said at the time they regarded Walliams’ comments as private, but that his use of language was “inappropriate.”
Walliams, a household British comedian who created Little Britain, said at the time: “I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for in 2020. These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.”
Walliams was replaced by former Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli for this year’s competition format.
Britain’s Got Talent has been a fixture on British screens for more than 15 years.
Fremantle declined to comment. Deadline has approached Walliams’ reps for comment.
