“Don't give your money to that creepy man”: David Walliams scandal and accusations explained as Britain's Got Talent judge comes under fire online

Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams recently came under fire for making inappropriate comments about some contestants while filming a January 2020 episode at the London Palladium.

According to an audio transcript obtained by The Guardian, the comments were caught on microphones placed on the desks by producers to record the conversations between judges after every audition.

In one of the audios, Walliams was heard calling an elderly performer “c***” three times as the performer walked off the stage. The contestant reportedly made some lighthearted jokes about the judge as part of his performance.

In another audio, the children’s book author was caught making offensive comments about a female contestant. Speaking about the woman's personality, he said:

“She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them, but you don’t.”

He continued to reiterate his statement and mentioned:

“She’s just like: ‘Oh, f*** off!’ I was saying, she thinks you want to f*** 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!’”

As the audio went viral online, social media users immediately called out the media personality. Some also referred to David Walliams as a “creepy man” and said, "Don't give your money to that creepy man."

Following the controversy, Walliams issued an apology. Additionally, Walliams and Thames TV, the production company Britain’s Got Talent, noted that the former’s comment was part of a private communication and not meant for broadcast.

---

Twitter reacts to David Walliams’ controversy

David Walliams is one of the most recognized TV personalities, actors, comedians and children’s book writers in the UK. He has served as the judge of Britain’s Got Talent since 2012.

Netizens called out David Walliams for making inappropriate comments about BGT contestants (Image via Getty Images)

He recently landed in hot waters after audios of him making inappropriate comments about some BGT contestants while filming a 2020 episode was released online.

The comments sparked immediate outrage, and several social media users took to Twitter to call out Walliams for his actions.

As reactions continued to pour in online, David Walliams issued an apology while speaking to The Independent. He said:

“I would like to apologize 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.”

Meanwhile, a BGT production house spokesperson admitted that Walliams’ language was “inappropriate” even though the audio was recorded during a “private conversation” nearly three years ago:

“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.”

Another spokesperson for David Walliams’ fellow BGT judge Simon Cowell clarified that the media mogul had no involvement in the former’s remarks:

“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.”

The Guardian confirmed that there were no other instances of any derogatory remarks about contestants other than Walliams’ comments.