BRITAIN’S Got Talent’s judging panel could have been hugely shaken up after David Walliams reportedly threatened a walk-out should Piers Morgan have been chosen as a stand-in.
Producers of the ITV talent show were left scrambling for a replacement judge for Saturday’s semi finals, after head judge Simon Cowell fractured his spine in three places.
One name in the ring was that of Piers Morgan, who starred on BGT for four seasons until 2010.
Yet a high profile clash with comedian David Walliams – who claimed his space on the panel – ensured plenty of bad blood between the pair.
A source has claimed to MailOnline Little Britain star David threatened to quit BGT should the GMB host have made a temporary comeback.
They told the publication: “I heard that David threw his toys out of the pram. Imagine David and Piers sitting on either end of that judging panel – what great TV it would have been.”
Meanwhile Piers confirmed in a previous Daily Mail column how he had in fact been approached for the temporary role.
He wrote: “Amusingly, I was quickly sounded out to see if I was potentially available but had to explain that if I was confined to the same close quarters as that insufferable twerp David Walliams, it wouldn’t end well.”
Their spat was sparked after David ‘liked’ derogatory Tweets about Piers.
Simon, worth an estimated £400million, had hoped to return to work imminently by recording segments to appear in the BGT semi-final but decided to delay his public comeback – hence the need for a stand-in.
Ashley Banjo, a former winner with his dance troupe Diversity, stepped in as his replacement until the boss can return.
He was praised by ITV viewers for his “honest” appraisals during the penultimate stage of the talent show.
A BGT spokesman said: “The decision regarding who would step in as guest judge was made solely by the producers and Simon with Ashley Banjo the top choice to take part.”
