David Walliams has spoken about filming upcoming BGT special The Ultimate Magician
(Picture: ITV)David Walliams has opened up about filming Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician as question marks remain over his future with the ITV talent competition.
The comedian and children’s book author has been a mainstay on the panel for a decade, but fans were left shocked after he was forced to apologise last month when foul-mouthed comments he made about contestants were leaked.
It has been reported that the broadcaster is planning a huge format shake-up when the main show returns for its 16th series next year, but for now, Walliams can be seen taking his place alongside fellow judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden for a one-off special which sees the best magicians from Got Talent shows globally go head-to-head.
Simon Cowell is noticeably absent from the panel with filming commitments in America making him unavailable. Instead, they are joined by Las Vegas legend Penn Jillette, of Penn & Teller fame.
Meanwhile, where proceedings on BGT are normally led by Ant and Dec, taking their place is Stephen Mulhern who stepped in at the eleventh hour after the presenters tested positive for Covid-19.
Speaking to the Standard, Walliams, 51, said he felt like he was in a dream recording the special which will air Saturday, but praised Mulhern, a member of The Magic Circle, for his role.
He said: “Ant and Dec sadly had Covid so we had Stephen Mulhern who was brilliant. Stephen we all know well because he did [axed sister show] Britain’s Got More Talent so it felt natural that he was there, it didn’t feel strange.
“It felt a bit like having a dream, you know when you have a dream and things are familiar but a bit different; it was a bit like that. You’re like ‘oh, where’s Ant and Dec?’ In dream world where people change into other people and stuff and it felt a bit like that. So Simon Cowell wasn’t there but Penn [Jillette] out of Penn and Teller was there… I was very entertained, I really enjoyed the record.”
Dixon agreed, adding: “He was in his element, you know, he comes from that world, so we were ecstatic, 100 per cent like a proper fit and he is such a giggle as well.
“We had 10 magicians from around the world that have either won a Got Talent or competed in the American version or the Asian version, and they all came on. They presented magic in 10 different ways which made the show so entertaining. I really felt at the end that this was something that you could continue to do.
“It was just a great show. I think the audience is going to love it.”
