25 January 2023 , 19:36
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Alesha Dixon has paid tribute to former colleague David Walliams following his departure from Britain's Got Talent.
The pair have been judges together on the ITV talent show for a decade, with singer Alesha, 44, and comedian David, 51, having both joined the judging panel on BGT in 2012.
He however was absent from the first auditions for the new series yesterday. It comes following David apologising last year for making "disrespectful comments" in the past.
Bruno Tonioli, 67, has filled his vacancy on the judging panel at the auditions at the London Palladium, with it having previously been announced that he has replaced David.
Alesha Dixon (left) paid tribute to David Walliams (right) in a post this afternoon (Instagram)
The pair both joined the BGT judging panel a decade ago (Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX)Following the first auditions this week, Alesha has paid tribute to her former co-star David. She took to Instagram earlier this afternoon to express her love for the comedian.
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She wrote in a post: "Thank you @dwalliams for 10 amazing years on @bgt." She further commented in her message to him: "I love you very much and will miss you dearly."
Alesha made the remarks alongside a photo of herself and David. It showed her wearing an eye-catching white dress, whilst posing beside her pal, who was seen in a blue suit.
David has been absent from auditions for the new series, which began earlier this week (PA)Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror .
It comes following Bruno's debut on the judging panel, with him having joined fellow judges Alesha, Simon Cowell, 63, and Amanda Holden, 51, at auditions earlier this week.
He was photographed alongside his co-stars - including the show's presenters Ant McPartlin, 47, and Dec Donnelly, also 47 - at the London Palladium whilst filming the show.
Bruno - who was previously on Strictly Come Dancing - said about his new job: "I am so excited. [...] I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm sure it's going to be brilliant."
Bruno Tonioli has made his debut on the panel (PA)
David joined the judging panel in 2012 (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)David - known for shows like Little Britain - apologised last year following reports of a leaked transcript that included alleged remarks by the judge about some contestants.
He later addressed the situation, saying in a statement: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for [BGT] in 2020."
The comedian said they had been "private conversations" which were "never intended to be shared". He further commented in his statement: "Nevertheless, I am sorry".