Bruno Tonioli has been mentioned as one of the candidates to’replace David Walliams as a judge’ on Britain’s Got Talent.
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge joins comedian Alan Carr in the anticipated line-up, following earlier rumours that the Chatty Man would join the panel alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon for series 16 of the yearly show.
Walliams’ future on the show was reportedly ‘up in the air’ in November 2022, with rumours flying that the Little Britain star, 50, had departed after a decade on the panel.
The author apologised the following month after a leaked audio recorded him calling an elderly participant on the talent programme the C-word three times.
According to a transcript obtained by the Guardian, David also described a female candidate as ‘She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub that thinks you want to f*** them but you don’t.’
It has not been announced whether Walliams would return to the judging panel since then.
It has now been suggested that Bruno from The Masked Dancer could be his successor.
A source said: ‘Signing up Bruno would be seen as a huge coup for Simon as he was always seen as a favourite on Strictly with his ostentatious style.
‘Bringing some of that hilarious magic across to BGT would help fill the big shoes left behind by comic David.’
The insider added to The Sun: ‘Although his background is almost entirely in dance, that has seen him work with a range of artists involved in West End shows as well as pop star’s videos, so he would bring a wealth of experience.’
According to the source, signing Bruno would be a ‘snub to Strictly,’ following former Strictly star Alesha joining the panel in 2012.
It was earlier shared: ‘Alan is joining the line-up, it just has to be him he’s brilliant.’
‘The deal is being finalised, but it’s details now – and he’s totally up for it too. It’s the perfect hiring all round,’ the source added to The Sun.
After the scandal, Walliams issued a statement and said he 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.’
Britain’s Got Talent returns later this year.