Bruno Tonioli has been officially announced as Britain’s Got Talent's new judge after weeks of speculation, replacing David Walliams. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed the former Strictly Come Dancing to the panel at the first audition taping with fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell.
In a video shared by a fan, the audience gasped in excitement as the names of the judges were lowered from above the stage, as Ant said "here they come." Dec then announced: ‘Please give a huge London Palladium welcome to the four judges for this afternoon: They are Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli!’
An upbeat Bruno then appeared, punching the air and blowing kisses as he walked to the stage, wearing a sparkling red blazer. "Can we say a massive welcome to Bruno!" said Ant.
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Bruno, who was replaced as a judge on Strictly by Anton Du Beke in 2021, picked up a microphone to say: "Thank you very much. I am thrilled to be here."
He said about Amanda and Alesha: "Look at these girls, they’re stunning!", and he said it was an "honour" to "finally" work with Simon. "He’s teased me with this for years. Years and years and years, and tell you, honestly, I’m thrilled to be here." Bruno, encouraged by Alesha, then had a go at pressing his buzzer for the first time.
The long-running ITV talent show returns to our screens later this year for its 16th series. Comedian and author David's position on the BGT judging desk 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."
There was speculation that funnyman Alan Carr was going to replace the Little Britain star. Speaking on The One Show earlier this month 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 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."
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."
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