Alesha Dixon pays tribute to David Walliams after he was fired from Britain’s Got Talent

Alesha Dixon has paid tribute to David Walliams after he was fired from Britain’s Got Talent.

The judge, 44, took to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday to thank him for a decade on the show after filming began on the new 2023 series.

David, 51, has been replaced on the judging panel by Bruno Tonioli, after the comedian was forced to apologize for describing an elderly contestant as a ‘c***’ and making vile sexual comments about a woman who participated.

Alesha shared a photo of her and David and wrote alongside it: ‘Thank you @dwalliams for an amazing 10 years at @bgt.

She added: “I love you very much and I will miss you very much.”

David’s future on BGT was in doubt after he described an elderly contestant as a c*** and made vile sexual comments about a woman who was also a contestant on the show.

The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were caught on the show’s microphones and revealed earlier this month.

In one incident, caught on the show’s microphones, an older performer engaged in a lighthearted joke with the judges in which he made fun of Walliams, a Guardian exposé claimed.

After the audition, the retiree left, after which Walliams is said to have described him as a ‘c**t’ three times.

In a separate incident, after a contestant walked off stage, Walliams commented, “She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub who thinks you want to fuck her but you don’t.” She later added: ‘I know, she’s like: ‘Oh, fuck you!’ She was saying that she thinks you want to fuck her, but you don’t.

‘It’s the last thing on her mind, but she’s like, ‘Yeah, I bet you do!’

‘No, i do not do it! I had a bit of ab***r, but now it’s gone, now it’s wrinkled inside my body.

Sources close to BGT said David’s return was “highly threatened” and “under the microscope”, with some senior officials saying he should be fired immediately.

A source said: “This couldn’t have come at a worse time in terms of his return to BGT, discussions are continuing at the moment so David’s comments have now become a big part of the conversation.”

‘He hasn’t signed an agreement yet, which has been a relief because now there are options. It’s a family show and this isn’t just a negative thing, it’s offensive to people.

You have left David in a very precarious position. There are some people involved in the show who don’t want him to come back, there is a danger of this incident becoming part of the BGT narrative and nobody wants that. It is an enchanting spectacle that brings so much joy.

“Some say David’s return is now highly unlikely.”

In a statement to The Guardian, the Little Britain star 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, they were never intended to be shared. However, I’m sorry.

An ITV spokesman said: “We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations and have spoken with the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.”

“The duty of care towards all participants in any of our shows is always of the utmost importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all of our production partners.”

Meanwhile, sources at London-based production company Thames said they have given BGT judges better training and education about their language and greater respect for the contestants.

A spokesperson said: “Although in relation to a private conversation almost three years ago, the language used was inappropriate.

“Although private, those involved were spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the program’s expectations for future professional conduct.”