David Walliams Sues Britain’s Got Talent Production Company Over Data Protection Concerns

Renowned actor, comedian, and author David Walliams Sues a legal action against FremantleMedia, the production company behind ITV’s popular show, Britain’s Got Talent. The lawsuit centres on matters related to data protection, though specific details remain undisclosed at this time.

Walliams had served as a judge on the show from 2012 until 2022, when he left. His departure was preceded by a controversy in November, where he publicly acknowledged making “disrespectful comments” about two contestants during the 2020 filming of the show. He apologised, asserting that these remarks were never intended to be made public.

The Guardian reported on leaked transcripts that revealed derogatory and sexually explicit comments made by Walliams about contestants during the January 2020 recording of the talent show. In response, Walliams issued a statement apologising to those affected, emphasising that these were private conversations that were never meant to be shared.

Thames TV, a subsidiary of FremantleMedia, considered Walliams’ comments private but criticised the use of inappropriate language. Earlier this year, it was announced that former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli would be joining Britain’s Got Talent for the 2023 series, effectively replacing Walliams.

Despite the controversy, David Walliams remains one of the UK’s most prominent entertainment figures. He gained fame alongside Matt Lucas in the BBC comedy Little Britain and received numerous accolades during his tenure on Britain’s Got Talent, including the National Television Awards for Best Judge in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, he has achieved immense success as a best-selling author, with popular books such as Gangsta Granny and The Boy in the Dress.

The legal case has been filed under Walliams’ real name, David Edward Williams, and his spokesperson has yet to provide a comment on the matter. FremantleMedia, one of the nation’s largest TV production companies, responsible for shows like Family Fortunes, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Britain’s Got Talent, has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.