David Walliams, who succeeded Bruno Tonioli as a judge for the 2023 season of Britain’s Got Talent, has contacted him and congratulated him on his behavior, according to Bruno Tonioli.
The flamboyant former Strictly Come Dancing judge and choreographer, 67, was chosen to join the panel alongside Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and the show’s creator Simon Cowell after leaked recordings showed comedian David, 51, making disparaging remarks about contestants on the reality talent show.
He later apologised for his offensive comments, stating: ‘I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.
‘These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.’
He had been in position on the panel for 10 seasons, and after months of speculation concerning his status, it was confirmed in January that David would not be engaged in the upcoming season and was being replaced by Bruno.
Now, as BGT sets ready to open the audition shows of the upcoming series, Bruno has revealed how he reached out to him immediately he was named as his replacement on the panel.
‘I haven’t seen David, but he was the first person to send me a message saying congratulations,’ Bruno told Radio Times.
‘He also sent a fantastic bottle of Italian wine to my dressing room on my first day. I thought that was absolute class,’ he added.
When talking about leaving Strictly after 16 years as a judge during the epidemic, Bruno added that he had no problem forgoing a grand send-off.
‘It happened randomly during the lockdown, but I don’t mind at all. Anton [Du Beke] is doing a great job and it feels right that he should carry on. I went back and sang [Don’t Leave Me This Way by the Communards] for them.’
Although he will never again serve as a judge, he added that he “may go back,” adding that he and others involved with the programme would “always be very good friends.”
The Italian said he ‘still receives notes from Tess Daly and Craig Revel Horwood, but he couldn’t continue to appear on both Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars in the US each week, where he is still a judge.
The show’s hosts, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, also disclosed they’mischievously’ handed Bruno his own rules to confound him on his first day as part of the premiere of the most recent season of BGT.
Dec, 47, said: ‘We, quite mischievously, kept telling him different rules. So when he hit his golden buzzer on the first session of the first day, mid-way through an act, we told him not to worry because he had another golden buzzer tomorrow, and that he had one every day.
‘That might have something to do with the fact we have more golden buzzers this year.
‘We also played a prank on the rest of the judges by going into their room and doing a BGT quiz, but secretly gave Bruno all the answers in advance. That was quite fun to see the look on everyone else’s face.’
Ant, 47, added: ‘Much to Simon’s annoyance that somebody else would win a quiz about his show. He quickly worked out it was a prank and didn’t like it! But we loved it.’
Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV1 at 8pm on Saturday, April 15.
Source My Celebrity Life.
