Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Walliams: I know the anguish Ant is feeling
BGT star on pain of public battles
BRITAIN’S Got Talent judge David Walliams says he can relate to co-star Ant Mcpartlin’s torment as his troubles play out in public.
The comedian, back with the hit ITV show this weekend, told of how he struggled with fame when his father was dying.
His support came as Ant continues to recover in rehab after being charged with a drink-driving offence.
David, 46, said: “Ant and
Dec are incredibly relatable and recognisable and the hard thing when you’re wellknown is that when things go awry in your life, it gets played out in public.
“I remember when my father was dying, I was on the phone to him and people were coming up for selfies. It’s hard as they want you to be smiley and happy but you’re going through something that’s causing you pain.” Ant and pal Declan Donnelly, both 42, return as hosts of the BGT auditions as they were prerecorded earlier this year. ITV today launches the show with images featuring David and fellow judges Alesha Dixon, 39, Amanda Holden, 47, and Simon Cowell, 58, plus Britain’s Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern, 41. There is no sign of Ant and Dec – but David told Radio Times: “Ant and Dec are popular beyond anybody’s imagination. Every person who comes to the show says, ‘Can we meet Ant and Dec?,’ and they’re so generous with their time.”
He also insisted fans are in for a treat with the auditions.
David said: “There’s been lots of brilliant talent; lots of eccentric people, lots of proper variety, brilliant magicians and comedians.”
Yet each judge put a singer straight through to the final with the golden buzzer – and not without a clash.
David said: “I love my golden buzzer act. I beat Simon to the buzzer, he really wanted him so he was really angry and super-competitive.”
Alesha added: “It’s interesting we’ve all gone for singers. The fact that I sing and dance, I make an effort to go for an act people aren’t expecting. But you can’t deny what moves you.”
Britain’s Got Talent kicks off on Saturday at 8pm on ITV.