Amanda Holden has said she would back her pal Alan Carr to become the new judge on Britain’s Got Talent. Rumours recently circulated that the comedian would be replacing David Walliams on the long-running ITV talent show when it returns later this year for its 16th series.
David's position on the judging desk alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon was "very much up in the air", after the Little Britain star apologised for making "disrespectful comments" about participants during breaks from filming for the show at the London Palladium in January 2020.
Despite reports that he was stepping down, a spokesperson for the ITV show stated in November that no final decision had been made around the 2023 judging line-up. The spokesperson added, in a statement to PA news agency, that: "The judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent 2023 will be announced in due course. It’s still very much up in the air at the moment on whether David is going to take part in next year’s show."
READ MORE:
In Friday night's episode of The One Show, hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating took the opportunity to quiz fellow longest-standing judge Amanda on the subject. Amanda, who has appeared in all series of BGT, didn't give much away but did show her support for former Chatty Man host Alan, who she is currently starring with on the renovation show The Italian Job.
"Now, there are lots of rumours at the moment about Britain’s Got Talent, who’s gonna fill the seat," Ronan put to her. "Will it be Alan?" And Amanda teased: "Well, watch this space." And she added: "There’s the top line."
The West End star then joked: "‘I was really contained and found my filter." And she continued: "I was really good, but watch this space." She then went on to say: "It’s a good idea, we’ll miss David, but it’s a good idea." And Alex said Alan would be "amazing" as a judge.
David apologised after he was reportedly recorded making derogatory remarks and sexually explicit comments. According to a leaked transcript seen by the Guardian, it was suggested he made repeated offensive comments when he was out of earshot following an unsuccessful audition.
During his audition, the contestant had engaged in light-hearted banter with the judges in which he made a jibe about David, it was reported. In a statement David, who has appeared on the programme since series six in 2012, 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." The Guardian reported that lawyers for Walliams and Thames TV, the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent, argued the comments were part of a private conversation never intended for broadcast.
In a statement, Thames TV 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."
His comments were picked up by microphones used to capture discussions between the judges. 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."
READ NEXT:
- Jane McDonald chokes up on BBC The One Show before shutting down Alex Jones
- Kate Garraway shares upsetting Derek incident on ITV Good Morning Britain after rushing him to hospital in taxi
- ITV Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu sparks concern as she risks missing Dancing on Ice debut
- Gorka Marquez shares plea as he gives honest response to why he won't be on Strictly tour and addresses exit
- Patsy Palmer's age stuns ITV This Morning viewers as she shares why she's signed up for Dancing on Ice after years of being asked
