David Walliams has taken a sharp dig at his former Britain’s Got Talent colleague Simon Cowell, fueling rumors of a growing rift between the two.
The comedian, who served as a judge on the ITV talent show for a decade, reportedly no longer speaks with Cowell after his controversial exit from the program.
Walliams left BGT in 2022 after private off-air comments he made about contestants in 2020 were leaked. His remarks, which were sexually explicit and derogatory, sparked backlash when they became public. He later sued the show’s production company, FremantleMedia, for leaking the conversation, ultimately reaching a settlement in 2023.
During a panel discussion at Advertising Week Europe, Walliams took a swipe at Cowell’s record on the show. When host Melanie Rockcliffe pointed out that he had won Best Judge at the National TV Awards four times, Walliams quipped, “Simon Cowell never won once.” The remark drew laughter from the audience, and Walliams continued, saying that while judging was just a small part of his career, it was Cowell’s primary focus—yet he still failed to win.
Walliams acknowledged that his time on BGT was enjoyable, but his relationship with Cowell remains strained. When asked if Cowell was upset with him, he simply replied, “No.”
Following the controversy over his remarks, Walliams apologized, stating that his comments were never meant to be heard publicly. Fremantle also issued an apology, expressing regret for the distress caused by the leak and emphasizing their commitment to protecting private conversations in the future.
Despite the fallout, Walliams remains a prominent figure in entertainment, while Britain’s Got Talent continues without him. However, the lingering tension between him and Cowell suggests that any potential reunion is unlikely.