SI LOVES IT WHEN I ACT LIKE A WALLI

David’s a big BGT tease

DAVID Walliams claims his pal Simon Cowell secretly loves being teased on Britain’s Got Talent because it means he’s the centre of attention. The pair are famed for having plenty of banter on the talent contest.

Show boss Simon, 62, often claims he hates being bothered by his co-stars, but David is convinced that’s a front.

The 50-year-old said: “I think Simon likes being teased, because it makes him the centre of attention. Ultimately, that’s his one goal.

“So he doesn’t even mind when I do it, because it’s like, ‘Well, at least it’s all about me.’” For years Simon was known for being Mr Nasty because of his miserable persona. But since he hired David to join him on BGT in 2012, fans have seen a different side to him. David said: “I bring out the fun side of Simon, otherwise he can just be

Mr Grumpy. I think with me, he can be a bit more playful.” Simon and David are closer than ever. They love working alongside fellow judges Alesha Dixon, 43, and Amanda Holden, 51. David said: “We do know each other very well now. I mean, there were no cross words at any point.

“It was very easy to get back into it and for us all to be one dysfunctional family again.” David is planning to cause lots of drama when the live shows kick off.

In a warning to Simon, he said: “The live shows can be very anarchic and chaotic, because live television always adds something extra to the show. You never know what might happen.

“So I am really looking forward to all that.

“And often we say things that can’t be edited out, which is always fun.”

The new series will continue on Saturday on ITV.