TV & Showbiz

David Walliams ‘quits’ Britain’s Got Talent after apologising for offensive remarks about contestants

He reportedly called an elderly contestant a 'c***'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 25th November 2022

David Walliams has reportedly quit Britain’s Got Talent after a decade on the hit show.

The comedian recently issued an apology after transcripts emerged that appeared to show him making derogatory comments about contestants, including referring to an elderly performer as a ‘c***’. 

Now, The Sun is reporting that the star has ‘sensationally quit’ the judging panel, where he sits with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon. 

Producers have since said this his future on the ITV series is ‘very much up in the air’ but that no decision has been made. 

Walliams found himself in the centre of a media storm earlier this month after The Guardian reported he had made disrespectful remarks about people who appeared on the talent show. 

The leaked transcripts reportedly captured him making sexually explicit comments about a female contestant. 

David Walliams on Britain's Got Talent
David Walliams with his fellow Britain’s Got Talent judges. Credit: ITV

In a statement, Walliams said: “I 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.”

ITV said earlier this month: “We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent. 

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“Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners.” 

On the reports of Walliams Quitting Britain’s Got Talent, a spokesperson said: “The judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent 2023 will be announced in due course. 

“It’s still very much up in the air at the moment on whether David is going to take part in next year’s show. No decision, though, has been made as yet.”

Featured image: ITV

TV & Showbiz

Trailer released for new BBC drama series Riot Women filmed near Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The trailer for a new BBC series telling the story of five menopausal women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band has finally been released.

Riot Women, the brand-new drama from the multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright – best known for being the creator of Happy Valley – is a six-part series set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

First look pictures of the new show were shared back in January of this year, but since then, very little information about its air date emerged, leaving eager fans in the dark.

But now finally, the first trailer for the show has been released.

The newly-released trailer gives fans a glimpse at the show’s stars in action – with Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Amelia Bullmore as band members, alongside a talented supporting cast consisting of Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, and Macy-Jacob Seelochan as the band’s riotous backing singers.

A trailer has been released for the new BBC drama series Riot Women filmed near Greater Manchester / Credit: BBC

According to a synopsis on the BBC website, Riot Women dives headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest.

But, in writing their first original song, they soon discover that they have a lot more to say than planned – and this is their way to say it.

As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates, and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.

The six-part series is coming to BBC One this autumn / Credit: BBC

Creators and producers say the show is a testament to the power of friendship, music, and the resilience of women who ‘refuse to be silenced by age or expectation’.

Speaking ahead of the show airing later this year, Riot Women creator, Sally Wainwright, commented: “I’m having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

You can watch the trailer in full here:

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Riot Women will be coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this October.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Richard Ashcroft says each Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour date is like a ‘World Cup final’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Richard Ashcroft talking about Oasis reunion shows inspiring him

Manchester music veteran Richard Ashcroft has come out to join Noel Gallagher to discuss just how special this summer’s Oasis reunion shows have been so far, comparing each and every night on stage to “a World Cup final.”

The Wigan legend has been supporting the Burnage boys on their Live ’25 concerts since the opening night at the Principality Stadium.

Following fellow long-standing scouse indie rockers, Cast, for each date, Richard Ashcroft’s own performances have been heaped with praise since day one of the world tour, with many fans praising his timeless vocals and impressive stage presence against the backdrop of the biggest band in the world.

In fact, his own renaissance as part of the whole phenomenon has not only seen excitement build for his first new album in seven years, but he’s even booked a massive arena run amidst all the buzz. Speaking to Virgin Radio this week, he says he continues to feel the weight of each and every gig.

Joining host Chris Evans via video call for the interview on Tuesday, 19 August, the former Verve frontman could only echo the elder Gallagher brother’s sentiment when it came to describing that first night in Cardiff, agreeing that it felt pretty “overwhelming” and kind of “passed like a movie.”

Struggling to fully articulate the magnitude of what has genuinely become a globally observed cultural event, as you can see, he explains that it isn’t just about “nostalgia” and fans rolling back the year; he says that this specific chapter in music history and collective feeling can’t be put into words.

While arguing that “we need to find a new word” for whatever this is, we think the closest you’ll get is the zeitgeist of the moment, or perhaps ‘collective effervescence’.

Having noted that he’s seen Noel a few times since the reunion got underway, Ashcroft insists the 58-year-old seems to be “in great spirits” and “in a good place” since the Oasis comeback began.

We’re sure you’ll agree this was a particularly touching moment from the interview – and not the only one we’ve got this week…

As for his 53-year-old songwriting peer – who the Oasis icon and High Flying Birds frontman has often cited as one of his favourite lyricists of all time and even dedicated ‘Cast No Shadow’ to – Ashcroft could only reiterate his own “respect” for both of the Gallaghers and the rest of the band.

He goes on to wax lyrical about “the power of the song”, too, expressing that even tracks he thought wouldn’t be the biggest favourites, adding that this is “what time does to a tune.”

Describing the entire journey thus far as a “healing, celebratory event” for the thousands who have already, he labelled it nothing short of an “amazing experience” thus far.

That was definitely the case for us here in Manchester when they played five unforgettable nights at Heaton Park.

Even those who didn’t manage to get tickets were still somehow able to create memories to last a lifetime, and what we would argue was one of the most surreal snapshots in music history – at here in Britain, certainly.

In memory of Gallagher Hill: an ode to one of the greatest moments in Manc music history
Countless numbers gathered on a muddy hill to listen to Ashcroft and Oasis’ hometown reunion.

As well as reinforcing just how creatively charging the tour has been for him so far – quipping that the 40+ shows overall could either “retire or inspire” him, but has certainly encouraged him to pull out his trusty acoustic guitar and write even more music – there was one comment that stood out the most.

Besides acknowledging how moving it is to see them walking out holding hands, laughing and joking mid-performance, as well as hugging at the end of each night, it was how Ashcroft portrayed how much it means not just him, but those out in the crowds.

“We play like a World Cup final every day and every time I play, I win 7-0; everyone’s on my side, and then they win 22-0 at the end. We’re all on the same team.”

Having just wrapped up the first leg of UK and Ireland shows, with just two Wembley nights remaining in September, the band and their tour mates are set to arrive in Toronto, Canada, for the North America shows this weekend.

You can watch and/or listen to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans’ full interview with Richard Ashcroft down below, and if you’re an Oasis fan, we would strongly suggest you do.

Even Evans looked visibly stirred by Ashcroft’s words, calling them “prophetic and profound.”

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Featured Images — Virgin Radio (screenshot via YouTube)/Audio North

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