Tonight will be David Walliams' last show with Britain's Got Talent as he joins the judging panel of spin off show The Ultimate Magician.
The comedian and author has been a familiar face on the popular family show for the last 10 years but sensationally quit after landing himself in hot water.
But what exactly happened for the audience's favourite judge, which caused him to quit the prime time programme?
David, 51, who is also a children's author, was forced to apologise earlier this year after vile comments he made about contestants on BGT were leaked.
David Walliams' 'leaked comments'
Leaked recordings of conversations between David and an unknown person revealed the television star made several disrespectful comments during filming at the London Palladium in 2020.
During one intimate conversation, David described a contestant as a "c**t", before claiming another contestant would think the judge wanted to "f**k her".
The Guardian obtained several transcripts of conversations between Walliams and the unknown person, including one calling a male contestant a "c**t" on three occasions after the pensioner appeared to make a lighthearted jibe at Walliams.
Another comment came after a female auditionee walked off the famous stage, with David was heard to be saying: "She's like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f**k them, but you don't.
"She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don't."
Despite the harshness of the comments, the lawyers who represent him and the show's production company Thames TV, argued that the comments were part of a private conversation and were not meant for the public.
David 'quits' Britain's Got Talent
David has apologised for making the "disrespectful comments" during filming breaks. And his decision to leave the programme is said to have been one that was "not taken lightly".
"David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time," an insider told The Sun.
"Being on the show has been a huge source of entertainment and joy for him and he is arguably the most popular member of the panel."
But, BGT spokesperson told The Mirror: "The judging panel for 2023 will be announced in due course."
Favourites to replace the judge
David is said to be focusing on other projects and the show's producers are considering who they will replace him with.
According to OLBG, the Sports Betting Community, the bookies favourite to replace David is comedian Mo Gilligan at 5/1.
Love Island voice over artist Iain Stirling is the second favourite and Joel Dommett is third with the odds of 9/2.
"Mo Gilligan is the outright favourite at 5/2 to be the next Britain's Got Talent judge with David Walliams set to leave. Gilligan's current role as a panellist on The Masked Singer may make ITV producers turn to him to replace the outgoing Walliams," Entertainment Betting Expert Steve Madgwick said.
David's past controversies
This isn't the first time that David has been in trouble over past controversies.
During his days on Little Britain he and Matt Lucas were known for playing characters in blackface.
David dressed up as Desiree DeVere, while Matt was Pastor Jesse King.
In 2020, the BBC removed the programme Little Britain from iPlayer after citing that "times have changed" since it was first broadcasted by the network.
Matt and David released a statement, explaining how they regretted the decision.
"David and I have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races.
"Once again we want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry," Matt said in a tweet.
He also did a sketch which he called the "predatory paedophile" in the Little Britain live shows.
This was slammed by human rights campaigners, who called it "sickening and unacceptable."
Footage, which was originally filmed in 2007, saw David adopt the role of fictional gay children's entertainer Des Kaye.
In one clip filmed in Australia, Des asks the contestant to confirm his age, with the boy stating he was 16, to which 'Des' responded with: "Bingo! You're a big boy aren't you, that's what I'll tell the judge."
Meanwhile, footage filmed in London shows 'Des' tear down the trousers of Holby City star Jeremy Edwards, exposing his genitals and bare bottom, before 'Des' dry humps Edwards' bare bottom before lying on top of him.
Following the incident, Walliams said: "That was not meant to happen. You were not supposed to see gonad. A*** crack, yes. Gonad, no."
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Walliams will return to the BGT family for the last time in The Ultimate Magician, which showcases the very best magicians from the global Got Talent shows.
The ITV spin off will be hosted by Stephen Mulhern and the winner will be chosen by the audience.
The Ultimate Magician will leave with a whopping £50,000 prize to take home.
The Mirror has approached David's representatives for comment.
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