David Walliam speaks on BGT
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David Walliams ‘suffered suicidal thoughts after being dropped from BGT’ as sad claims emerge

Papers said to claim he's 'lost the ability to be funny'

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David Walliams suffered suicidal thoughts since being dropped from BGT, it was claimed.

According to The Sun, court papers revealed last year that David had “lost the ability to be funny” due to fallout regarding his departure.

David Walliams replacement has been confirmed on BGT
David Walliams was a judge on BGT for a decade from 2012 (Credit: Britain’s Got Talent YouTube)

BGT judge David Walliams court case

The papers claimed: “His inability to perform in this, his signature manner, has caused him further acute distress, because he has lost an important part of his personal and professional identity.”

It was also reported that David has since suffered “a return of severe depression, including ­suicidal thoughts”.

David Walliams puts an arm around Simon Cowell
‘He has lost an important part of his personal and professional identity’ (Credit: Splashnews.com)

David’s claim

The former Britain’s Got Talent judge, 52, reportedly demanded up to £10 million. It came amid claims he made derogatory comments about contestants on previous series.

He was said to be seeking £1m that he stood to receive from the ITV talent show. Additionally he is said to have been seeking £1.7m in lost earnings.

Furthermore, it was reported he wanted an additional £3.4m. This was to cover future losses over at least the next two years.

David, whose BGT role was filled by ex-Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli, said his “reputation and career” as a comedian, TV personality and children’s author was destroyed.

Last November, the suit was settled. However, David reportedly got considerably less than he wanted.

David Walliams speaks on BGT
Bruno Tonioli replaced David on the ITV talent show (Credit: Britain’s Got Talent YouTube)

Fremantle statement

A Fremantle spokesperson said: “We are pleased that we have achieved an amicable resolution of this dispute with David. We are sincerely sorry that his private conversations when a judge on Britain’s Got Talent were published, and the great distress this caused David.”

It added: “We have reviewed our production practices on the show to ensure they fully respect the expectations of our talent whilst satisfying the requirements of the show. We have enjoyed a great relationship with David over many years.”

The statement concluded: “We thank David for being an important part of the Britain’s Got Talent family and the enduring success of the show. And hope to have opportunities to work with him in the future.”

Read more: David Walliams ‘suing Britain’s Got Talent bosses’ following ‘axe’ over offensive leaked comments

David hosts It’ll Be Alright On The Night on ITV1 tonight (July 9) at 9pm.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer