14 April 2023 , 20:00
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Simon Cowell says he has spoken to David Walliams since he quit Britain's Got Talent - but he left the producers of the show to decide who should replace him.
Viewers will see a new face on the show this weekend in the form of new judge Bruno Tonioli, who replaces Walliams on the panel.
Walliams left the show after a leaked transcript from auditions showed he was making derogatory comments towards acts when they were out of earshot.
And speaking for the first time about the shake up, Cowell said: "It's not the ethos of the show. I said at the time, these comments were completely unacceptable. I hadn't heard them before and it was upsetting.
Simon Cowell and David Walliams in 2020 (WireImage)
Bruno Tonioli has replaced the Little Britain Star (PA)"But from where I sat, this wasn't something I believe that was constant. Most of the time he seemed very respectful.
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"We did say to the two producers you have to make the final decision. Because I am an executive producer, but they're more hands-on. And in the end, it was their decision. Obviously, everyone had some input. The network, Fremantle, all of us."
Cowell has spoken to Walliams since the controversy but is understandably not keen to dwell on the subject.
"We had a conversation, but he owned what he said. He wasn't proud of what he said. It's not something I would ever condone."
Britain's Got Talent is back for another season (ITV)Viewers watching BGT this weekend will see plenty of familiar faces with Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden back, as well as the usual types of varied auditions.
There include 13-year-old schoolboy magician Cillian O'Connor, 34-year-old singing receptionist Amy Lou and 42-year-old comedian Ichikawa Koikuchi from Japan, who surprises audience members and the judging panel with a series of flatulence tricks.
On new judge Bruno Tonioli, Cowell said: "Bruno was just a completely natural fit on the show.
"It was quite remarkable. Even though he'd never seen the show before, it was just brilliant.
"It was seamless and as I said before, he's brought some chaos to the show.
"But I'm kind of watching the show through his eyes again because he has never seen it and he's so excited. It really is great."
Bruno has admitted to never watching Britain's Got Talent before he got the job, joking he could have been fired on his first day because of it.
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Bruno appeared on This Morning and told hosts Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson about his rocky start.
He says the call from long-term pal Simon came at the eleventh hour but has loved filming the auditions.
"This happened last moment, I'd never seen the show," he said.
Bruno is set to make his BGT debut this weekend (ITV)"Simon said to be 'there's no rules, my darling' - but I broke them immediately with the golden buzzer and pushed it twice!
"I did it mid-flow, and the confetti exploded with the kids in mid performance. It happens, but by magic it gave them an extra push but it could have been a disaster, I could have been sacked!"
Britain’s Got Talent launches Saturday 15th April, 20:00 and continues Sunday 16th April, 19:45 on ITV1 and ITVX.