David Walliams and Simon Cowell’s friendship is said to be “on the rocks” as the comedian sues his former bosses at Britain’s Got Talent.
The 52-year-old Little Britain creator is seeking significant damages from London-based Fremantle over a breach of data protection after quitting his £1.5million-a-year job when audio recordings emerged of him during a made disgusting comments about participants during a break in filming.
And while the once close friendship between David and Simon, 63, is reportedly on the brink of collapse, the comedian has a number of stars still supporting him in the wake of the controversy.
His 52nd birthday bash earlier this month was attended by fellow Britain’s Got Talent judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, as well as presenter Ant McPartlin – along with a host of showbiz royalty.
From Hollywood actors to footballers, we take a look at who Team David is…
Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon
Happier times: David Walliams and Simon Cowell’s friendship said to be ‘on the rocks’ as comedian sues his former bosses on Britain’s Got Talent (pictured 2020)
Friends: While Amanda and Alesha are fiercely loyal to Simon, they have also formed a close friendship with David and attended his 52nd birthday party earlier this month
While Amanda and Alesha are fiercely loyal to Simon, they have also formed a close friendship with David.
The comedian hosted Britain’s Got Talent alongside her for ten years before stepping down from the role last year.
The former strict judge Bruno Tonioli took his place. When David announced he was leaving the show, Amanda said on The One Show: “We’re going to miss David.”
Michael Caine
Sweet: Walliams also counts Sir Michael Caine, 90, among his friends. The acting legend showed up to David’s star-studded party and sat next to the comedian
Royalty: David and Michael both starred in the 2021 film Twist, which was a modern version of Oliver Twist (pictured with Sir Tom Courtenay, 86).
Walliams also counts Sir Michael Caine, 90, among his friends.
The acting legend arrived at David’s star-studded bash and sat next to the comedian as he was presented with a birthday cake.
David and Michael both starred in the 2021 film Twist, which was a modern version of Oliver Twist.
David Schwimmer
Unusual friendship: The Little Britain star has surprised fans with his unlikely friendship with Friends actor David Schwimmer, 56
The Little Britain star has surprised fans with his unusual friendship with 56-year-old Friends actor David Schwimmer.
The pair have been friends for years and have often shared snaps of times they went out to dinner and saw Stevie Wonder in Hyde Park in 2019.
David attended the former BGT judge’s birthday party earlier this month, where the duo posed for a selfie together.
Jamie Redknapp and Frida Andersson
Good friends: Former footballer Jamie Redknapp and his wife Frida Andersson, 38, are so close to David that they even went on holiday together
Former footballer Jamie Redknapp and his wife Frida Andersson, 38, are so close to David that they have even holidayed together.
Last July, the trio shared snaps from their sunny destination, with David uploading a snap with 50-year-old Jamie with the caption: “Honeymoon.”
Fans pointed to his friendship with Cowell and joked: “Are you cheating on Simon?”
Jamie and Frida were among the star-studded guests at his party earlier this month.
Robbie Williams, BGT presenter Ant McPartlin and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
All smiles: Ant McPartlin, 47, continued to show his support for David in the wake of his BGT controversy by attending his birthday alongside Robbie Williams
Famous faces: 33-year-old actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson was also at the bash. The duo were spotted in the same showbiz circle (pictured with Robbie).
Ant McPartlin, 47, continued to show his support for David in the wake of his BGT controversy by attending his birthday.
The TV presenter was joined by Robbie Williams, who is also friends with Simon Cowell.
The singer said he was “very afraid” of the music mogul back in the ’90s after he refused to sign Take That.
Robbie previously said: “I first met him in the BMG offices in 1993, Take That had just been signed to BMG and Simon had a little office in the corner. “He was an incredibly interesting guy, in front of me was afraid. He had the chance to sign Take That and he passed on it.’
33-year-old actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson was also at the party. The duo was spotted in the same showbiz circle.
In August, they both vacationed in St. Tropez on Elton John’s superyacht.
David has also been friends with Aaron’s wife Sam, 56, for many years.
Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan
Comics: Rob Brydon, 58, and Steve Coogan, 57, are also David’s friends
Rob Brydon, 58, and Steve Coogan, 57, are also among David’s friends.
The trio made Cruise of the Gods, a comedy-drama film for the BBC in 2002. It also starred James Corden.
Friendship with Simon Cowell is on the brink
Legal drama: The distance between Simon and David is said to have increased as he demands significant damages from the London-based company Fremantle (pictured in 2012 with Alesha and Amanda).
Walliams was axed from the show after making vile comments about contestants, including one female contestant. Comedian Clare Harrison McCartney (pictured) claimed she was the subject of the comments, although this was denied by BGT producers
The distance between Simon and David is said to have grown as he seeks significant damages from London-based Fremantle, which produces the reality series for ITV.
The legal filing suggests he accuses bosses of leaking details of his rude comments to a newspaper.
Court papers filed at the High Court in London last Thursday accuse the firm of a data breach over the leaked transcript, which led to a swift end to her ten-year stint as a judge on the show.
Walliams, who is worth around £17million, left the show last November, two weeks after he was caught calling an older contestant a “f***” during a break from filming.
He was also heard belittling a contestant, describing her as “a bit of a boring girl you meet in the pub and think you want to fuck her but don’t”.
Comedian Clare Harrison Mccartney later claimed these comments were directed at her and branded Walliams a “sad misogynist”, but the show’s producers denied the comments were directed at her.
Bruno later replaced him on the talent show and signed a big deal.
A source told The Sun about David’s decision to leave at the time: “He didn’t make the decision lightly but it just feels like it’s time to move on.”
“David has decided to retire after a ten-year career. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.
“His team have been quietly having discussions over the last few days in which it has become clear that David is ready to step down – and then producers will start thinking about who might replace him.”
The star has hired law firm Brandsmiths, which specializes in data breaches.
Reports earlier this year claimed Walliams had quit BGT after offensive and rude comments he made while filming the show at the London Palladium in 2020 came to light.
However, sources at the time suggested he was actually pushed out after Fremantle put together a crisis management team to deal with the scandal, which led to the former Little Britain comedian apologizing.
Comments made during auditions at the London Palladium in January 2020 were recorded by the show’s microphones.
He and his lawyers argued at the time that they were private conversations that were never intended for broadcast, but he was canceled two weeks later.
In one incident, a senior performer engaged in light-hearted banter with the judges, making fun of Walliams, according to a Guardian expose.
After the audition, the pensioner left, after which Walliams is said to have called him a “f***” three times.
In another incident, Walliams remarked after a contestant left the stage: “She’s like that slightly boring girl you meet in the pub and think you want to fuck her, but you don’t.” He later added: “I know she’s like, ‘Oh, damn!’ I said she thinks you want to fuck her but you don’t.
“It’s the last thing on your mind, but she says, ‘Yeah, I bet you do!’
“No, I will not do that! I had a bit of a tummy but now it’s starting, it’s shrunk into my body now.’
Replacement: Bruno later replaced him in the talent show and signed a big deal
After the transcript was released, a Britain’s Got Talent source told the Mail that it “couldn’t have come at a worse time” for Walliams, as his deal to return to the show has not yet been finalized.
They added: “David’s comments have now become an important part of the conversation.”
“He hasn’t signed a contract yet, which is a relief because now there are options.”
“It’s a family show and that’s not just a negative thing, it’s offensive to people.”
Walliams, one of Britain’s best-known television personalities and children’s authors, was forced to apologize for his outbursts – but insisted they were private conversations.
In a statement to the Guardian following the publication of the transcripts, Walliams said: “I would like to apologize 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 with others. “Still, I’m sorry.”
However, weeks later it was confirmed that he would not be returning to the show.
ITV said at the time that it did not “condone” the language used and had spoken to BGT producers.
Fremantle declined to comment.