Amanda Holden did her best to remain coy when Alan Carr was included on the judging panel of Britain’s Got Talent to replace David Walliams on The One Show on Friday.
Host Ronan Keating appeared to be speaking to the comedian about renovation show The Italian Job and quizzed the Heart FM radio host, 51, if her pal is really taking David’s place.
Earlier this week, the Chron announced that Alan, 46, will replace David, who left the show after his obnoxious off-camera remarks about two contestants were revealed.
Secrecy: Amanda Holden did her best to remain coy when Alan Carr was added to the judging panel of Britain’s Got Talent to replace David Walliams on The One Show on Friday
Ronan asked: “Now there’s a lot of rumors about Britain’s Got Talent at the moment, will it be Alan?”
To which Amanda replied, “Well, watch this room. That’s the top line.’
Impressed by Amanda’s mysterious response, Alex Jones interjected, “That was good.”
Amanda said: “I was really locked in and found my filter. It’s a good idea, we’ll miss David, but it’s a good idea.’
Replacement: Earlier this week, the Chron announced that Alan, 46, will replace David, who left the show after his off-camera obnoxious remarks about two contestants were revealed
“Watch this room!”: Host Ronan Keating appeared to be speaking to the comedian about renovation show The Italian Job, quizzing the Heart FM radio host, 51
The Chron revealed that Alan, best known for his Channel 4 chat show Alan Carr: Chatty Man, landed the role after reality show bosses decided he would be perfect alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda and Alesha Dixon would.
It comes after David left the ITV show after footage was released of him making obnoxious sexual comments about two contestants during the January 2020 audition.
A source close to the ITV show told the Chron: “Alan is hilarious but also kind. He tells a mean joke, but he’s also soft in the middle.
Time for a change: Alan will sit on the jury alongside Amanda, Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon
Coy: Ronan asked: ‘Now there’s a lot of rumors about Britain’s Got Talent at the moment, will it be Alan? To which Amanda replied, “Well, watch this room. This is the top line’
“It’s a good idea!”: Amanda, who was joined by Robson Green on the show, said, “I was really cautious and I found my filter. It’s a good idea, we’re going to miss David, but it’s a good idea.
“The bosses are already excited to see how wonderfully he will deal with the candidates. He will complement the panel so well too, he’s really close friends with Amanda and he’s known Simon and Alesha for years too.
“Everyone involved with the show is so excited and can’t wait to get started.”
Auditions for the next series of BGT begin in two weeks and executives at ITV and production company Fremantle have been desperate for a replacement for Walliams since it was decided two months ago he would be stepping down.
Alan, who split from husband Paul Drayton last August after 13 years of marriage, is close friends with Amanda.
Saying sorry: In a statement, David said: “I would like to apologize to the people I made disrespectful comments about during the breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.”
It was reported in November that 51-year-old David was stepping down from his role as judge on the show after ten years, although sources close to the show say he “jumped before he was pushed”.
His exit came after he called an older contestant an ac**t and made vile sexual comments about a participating woman.
The remarks, first reported by The Sun, were made during the January 2020 audition at the London Palladium.
In one incident, captured by the show’s microphones, an older cast member engaged in lighthearted banter with the judges, mocking Walliams.
After the audition, the pensioner left, three times Walliams is said to have referred to him as ‘C**t’.
In another incident, Walliams remarked after a contestant walked off stage, “She’s like that slightly boring girl you meet at the pub and you think you want to fuck her, but you don’t.” He later added, “I know she’s just like, ‘Oh fuck off! I said she thinks you want to fuck her but you don’t.
“It’s the last thing on your mind but she’s like, ‘Yeah, I bet you do!
,No, I will not do that! I had a little ab***r, but it’s ok now, it’s shriveled up in my body now.
Walliams, one of Britain’s best known television personalities and children’s book author, has had to apologize for his outbursts – but he insisted they were private conversations.
In a statement, the former Little Britain star said: “I would like to apologize to the people I made disrespectful comments about during the breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.
“These were private conversations and, like most conversations with friends, should never be shared. Still, I’m sorry.’
Bosses considered hiring former strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse for the role, and also reached out to talk show host Graham Norton, but he turned down the opportunity.
Mates: Amanda and Alan are close friends and currently have a show on BBC called Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job where they are renovating a property in Sicily