‘Would have been a great addition!’ Graham Norton ‘turns down chance to join Britain’s Got Talent as judge’ after David Walliams quit show
Graham Norton is said to have “turned down the chance to join Britain’s Got Talent as a judge”, according to a new report on Saturday.
The chat show host, 59, was reportedly in talks to star in the popular ITV show alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon after judge David Walliams resigned.
According to Sunthe producers thought Graham would be a “great addition” but the “project wasn’t right” for him.
Not for him: Graham Norton, 59, is said to have “turned down the chance to join Britain’s Got Talent as a judge,” according to a new report on Saturday.
A source told the publication: ‘The bosses had their hearts set on Graham. He is very popular with viewers and would be a great addition.
Money wasn’t the issue, but after some thought, Graham realized it wasn’t a project he wanted to undertake right now.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Graham and Britain’s Got Talent for comment.
It comes after Britain’s Got Talent reportedly heads to a new location for the first time in three years in the upcoming series to hold auditions to “unlock” a new pool of talent.
Oh no: the chat show host was reportedly in talks to star in the popular ITV show alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon after David Walliams (pictured) left the show.
In a shakeup of the normal format, it has been claimed that Simon, Amanda and Alesha will be heading to the North of England after filming at the London Palladium for the last two seasons.
They will also reportedly be joined by a new judge to replace David, 51, after he reportedly left the show following his leaked off-air derogatory comments against contestants.
Show bosses are said to be hoping to see new acts who couldn’t afford to travel south for previous auditions, amid claims that viewers were also fed up with ‘recycled’ artists from the Got Talent franchise.
For the first time ever, the public can also propose names of people they think are deserving and have what it takes to impress the judges and viewers back home.
No deal: “Money wasn’t the issue, but after some thought, Graham realized it wasn’t a project he wanted to take on at the moment,” a source said.
An informant said Sun: ‘Being able to audition in Manchester also unlocks the North; some acts simply couldn’t afford the trip for an entire troop or choir, for example. Everything is gearing up for a really cool new series, now all pandemic restrictions have been lifted as well.”
Panelist David has reportedly left the ITV show ahead of its 2023 series, weeks after he was forced to apologize for describing an elderly contestant as a ‘c***’ and making vile sexual comments about a woman who participated.
The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up by the show’s microphones and revealed last month.
They left production company Thames and broadcaster ITV uncertain if he would return for the 2023 series.
Shock: David has reportedly left the ITV show ahead of its 2023 series, weeks after he was forced to apologize for describing an elderly contestant as a ‘c***’ (show pictured in 2020)