Walliams has officially left his role as a judge.
Britain’s Got Talent have confirmed that Bruno Tonioli will join the programme as a judge, replacing David Walliams.
Walliams officially left his role on the ITV programme following weeks of speculation that he was to step aside from the Saturday night show.
His departure from the show came after he issued a public apology for making ‘disrespectful comments’ about contestants during the breaks in filming the show.
The big reveal was made during the taping of the first audition, when Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed their new judge to the auditorium alongside the usual line up.
Leaving the audience in suspense, a video of Ant can be seen welcoming the judges onto the stage. “Here they come!”he can be heard saying.
As Tonioli’s name was read out, those in attendance gasped in shock.
“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!”
Ladies and Gentlemen, your brand new #BGT panel – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli… pic.twitter.com/mUvb57YCEZ
— Adam Khan (@Adam_Khan100) January 24, 2023
All four judges entered to Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’, with Bruno sporting a dazzling red suit.
Ant then welcomed him onto the show. “Can we say a massive welcome to Bruno!” Ant said, before Bruno picked up a microphone to respond: “Thank you very much. I am thrilled to be here.”
Then, gesturing towards Amanda and Alesha, he added: “He’s teased me with this for years. Years and years and years, and tell you, honestly, I’m thrilled to be here.”
Rumours of Tonioli replacing Walliams first emerged last month when it was rumoured that he was being lined up alongside Alan Carr to move onto the show.
Tonioli returns to TV for the first time since leaving BBC One programme Strictly Come Dancing last year.
Related links:
- David Walliams has reportedly quit Britain’s Got Talent following offensive comments
- X Factor contestant Katie Waissel plans to sue Simon Cowell
