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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Where is David Walliams? BGT viewers baffled as they question star's absence from show

Some Britain's Got Talent viewers shared their confusion on Saturday night, as the ITV series returned to screens.

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were back on hosting duty, while Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon returned to their judges seats.

But fans quickly noticed that one judge, David Walliams, was nowhere to be seen after he quit the show last year.

Instead, Strictly Come Dancing star Bruno Toniloi made his debut as David's replacement, with viewers quick to react.

Of course most viewers knew the change was happening, after the news David had left the show broke in November.

Britain's Got Talent returned on Saturday night (ITV)

But somehow, despite several reports and interviews about Bruno taking his place, some viewers didn't realise David had gone.

As the series launched and got underway, Bruno made his mark as a judge and introduced himself to the crowd.

He said: "I am thrilled to be here. I tell you honestly, I am thrilled to be here. I am emotional and very nervous."

He had a friendly face with him though, as Bruno previously judged on Strictly Come Dancing alongside Alesha.

Some viewers tuning in were surprised to see Bruno it seemed, as they took to Twitter to discuss the major change.

Taking to Twitter, one fan said: "WHERE'S DAVID WALLIAMS?! WHERE IS HE?!"

Another viewer asked: "Wait what? No David this series???" as a third tweeted: "Urmmmmm where’s David…"

David Walliams was nowhere to be seen after he quit the show last year (ITV)

The comments kept on coming too, with a fourth tweet reading: "what!!! Where's David."

It was reported he'd quit the show in November, before the new panel was announced - confirming his departure.

"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 at the time.

"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.”

A source close to the judge said: “David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.”

Bruno made his mark as a judge and introduced himself to the crowd (PA)

Simon failed to confirm if David would be returning for the latest series of the hit talent show. "Ask me in a few weeks," he responded when quizzed on the matter.

Simon went on to insinuate that the current judging panel is not 'vital' for the show's success.

"For me the most important thing is the talent. It’s always about that. If you don’t have great talent, you don’t have a show. That’s all I care about," Simon told Daily Star.

Britain's Got Talent airs this Saturday at 8PM and Sunday at 7:45PM on ITV1 and ITV X.

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