Featured Image Credit: ITV/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
Topics: Britains Got Talent, Celebrity, ITV
Katherine Sidnell
Topics: Britains Got Talent, Celebrity, ITV
David Walliams is reportedly suing Britain's Got Talent execs, after his shocking departure from the variety series.
The actor and comic left the ITV series last November, after a scandal broke about his behind-the-scenes behaviour.
Now, he's reportedly suing production company Fremantle for 'significant damages' after his exit.
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The former Little Britain star left the show after a transcript of comments he'd made about contestants was leaked.
In one particularly shocking incident, he was recorded calling a an elderly contestant a 'c***' during their appearance on the ITV show.
Following the leak, he issued a statement about the incident which read: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain's Got Talent in 2020."
Continuing, he added that the comments - which had been picked up by his microphone - were never meant for broadcast.
He told press: "These were private conversations and - like most conversations with friends - were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry."
ITV expressed its disapproval for the remarks in a statement, saying: "We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain's Got Talent.
"Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners."
Though he apologised, the comic stepped down two weeks later, ending his decade-long stint on the series.
Now, Walliams is reportedly suing the production company behind the hit series over the leak.
According to The Sun, he and his legal team submitted paperwork to the High Court in London last week, accusing Fremantle of a data protection breach.
The newspaper claims that the suit was filed under the 52-year-old's real name, David Edward Williams.
While little is known about the suit, ITV has since replaced Walliams.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Bruno Tonioli took over as a judge on BGT and joined Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Tyla has reached to Walliams' representatives for comment.