Comic Relief 2023: BBC criticized for David Walliam’s joke after Britain’s Got Talent scandal

David Walliams was among those vying for Britain’s place in the next Eurovision Song Contest in a comedy sketch for the BBC’s Comic Relief programme.

After performing Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” in a tight leather suit, judges Graham Norton, Lulu and Sam Ryder said Walliams had failed to secure the performance.

Upon hearing her verdict, the comedy actor approached the judges’ table and placed a gold, Britain’s Got Talent buzzer on it.

“Well, you might not have liked it, but I did loved it,” Walliams said, hitting the buzzer and letting a stream of confetti fall around him. “Yes! I’m through to the live Eurovision final!” he defined.

“He’s not even on this show anymore,” said an amused Norton.

It was an odd choice for the sketch considering Walliams was only recently replaced on the ITV talent show after a leaked 2020 set footage heard the actor-writer making sexually explicit comments about the contestant .

A copy received from The guard Walliams, 51, reportedly revealed that Walliams, 51, described a woman as “that kind of boring girl you meet in the pub who thinks you want to fuck her but you don’t.”

Walliams apologized at the time and told The Independent: “I would like to apologize to the people I spoke disrespect to during the breaks in filming Britain’s Got Talent in 2020. These were private conversations and, like most conversations with friends, should never be shared. Still, I’m sorry.”

The Independent has reached out to the BBC for comment.

Viewers captured the moment on Twitter. “#RedNoseDay no why was David Walliams there?? Read the room besties,” one wrote on Twitter.

“Once David Walliams has finished his audition we should whisper all the obscenities about him,” said another, referring to the scandal.

“David Walliams, ex-BGT Judge on #ComicRelief,” pointed out another.

Britain’s Got Talent announced former Be sure to come dance Judge Bruno Tonioli to replace Walliams in January this year.

“I’m thrilled to be here. look at these girls [Holden and Dixon]they are stunning and it’s my old friend Simon [Cowell]. What an honor to finally be working with you. He’s been teasing me about it for years, years and years and years. I’ll tell you honestly, I’m thrilled to be here and very, very nervous,” Tonioli told the crowd on his first day of shooting.