Friday 25 November 2022 11:38 AM David Walliams 'quits BGT': Amanda Holden is 'team David' while Simon Cowell ... trends now
Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell weighed into the scandal surrounding David Walliams after offensive remarks he made about Britain's Got Talent contestants were leaked.
David, 51, has reportedly quit the ITV show ahead of its 2023 series, weeks after he was forced to apologise for describing an elderly contestant as a 'c***' and making vile sexual remarks about a woman taking part.
Yet despite the backlash, Amanda, 51, publicly backed her co-star this week when she proudly declared herself 'team David.'
Speaking out: Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell weighed into the scandal surrounding David Walliams after offensive remarks he made about Britain's Got Talent contestants were leaked (pictured in 2019)
Speaking about the future of Britain's Got Talent, Amanda told Good Morning Britain on Monday: 'I would like to see the judging panel look like it did before. I think we're a great team, we're a family.'
Asked directly if she was 'Team David', she replied: 'Of course I'm team David.'
Simon, 63, wasn't as forthcoming when probed about his fellow judge in an interview with The Daily Star on Monday.
Asked about David's conduct, Simon responded: 'Can we not go there? If you don't mind.'
When asked if David would feature on the 2023 BGT panel, he cryptically responded: 'Ask me in a few weeks.'
Scandal: David, 51, has reportedly quit the ITV show ahead of its 2023 series , weeks after he was forced to apologise for describing an elderly contestant as a 'c***'
He also insisted that the judges weren't the key to the success of the show, musing: 'I think for me, the most important thing – and I had this conversation the other day. It's always about the talent.
'If you don't have great talent, you don't have a show,' he said. 'That's all I care about.'
The remaining Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon has yet to comment on the news.
Days after Simon and Amanda's remarks, David reportedly quit Britain's Got Talent after 10 years on the judging panel.
On his side: Despite the backlash, Amanda, 51, publicly backed her co-star this week when she proudly declared herself 'team David'
It's thought that show bosses are already lining up a replacement before filming commences next year.
A source told The Sun: 'He hasn't taken the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.'
'David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.
'His team have quietly been having conversations over the past few days where it has been made clear that David is readying himself to step down – and then producers will start to think about who might replace him.'
Fantastic four: Days after Simon and Amanda's remarks, David reportedly quit Britain's Got Talent. The remaining judge Alesha Dixon has yet to comment on the news (pictured January)
David's co-stars, Simon, Amanda and Alesha are in negotiations for their 2023 contracts. None of them have signed a deal yet.
A BGT source told MailOnline: '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. No decision, though, has been made as yet.'
A spokesperson for Britain's Got Talent said: 'The judging panel for Britain's Got Talent 2023 will be announced in due course.'
Oti Mabuse is reportedly being considered as a replacement for David, with bosses of the reality programme discussing how the former professional dancer on BBC's Strictly would be perfect for
