David Walliams Wins Legal Battle with BGT Bosses over "Spygate" Scandal

David Walliams secures a seven-figure payout in settlement with Britain's Got Talent

David Walliams, beloved TV comic and judge on Britain's Got Talent, has emerged victorious in his legal battle with the show's producers, Fremantle Media. The settlement, said to be in the seven-figure range, comes after Walliams accused BGT bosses of spying on him and leaking transcripts of his private conversations, leading to his dismissal from the show.

Transcripts of private conversations leaked without Walliams' knowledge

According to court documents, transcripts of Walliams' private conversations, in which he reportedly ridiculed two contestants, were leaked without his knowledge. The TV comic was unaware that his microphone was being kept on and recording throughout the entire filming day, including breaks. The leaked transcripts also included discussions about other celebrities, personal matters, and even his son's birthday party arrangements.

Walliams wins apology and admission of wrongdoing

As part of the settlement, Walliams received an apology from Fremantle Media, who admitted to recording, transcribing, and retaining his every word during his time on the show. The producers also acknowledged that they kept private information that had no relevance to the production of the show. Walliams' legal team claimed that approximately 1,700 hours of audio recordings were collected over 10 years and 145 episodes.

Impact on Walliams' career and mental health

Walliams, who was seeking £10 million in damages, stated that the fallout from the leaked transcripts had a devastating impact on his career and mental health. He claimed to have suffered from severe depression, active suicidal thoughts, and uncontrollable negative thoughts since his dismissal. The comedian also alleged that the leaked comments led to the cancellation of numerous TV appearances, projects, and even a reading with the Queen.

Future loss of earnings and damage to reputation

In addition to the damages sought for past and present losses, Walliams also claimed for future loss of earnings. He argued that the reputational damage he had suffered would continue to affect his offers of work for years to come. The lawsuit revealed that his earnings had plummeted from £3.7 million in 2022 to just £101,800 in the first five months of this year. Schools, libraries, and shops were reported to have removed his books from their shelves, further impacting his exposure and book sales.

A victory for Walliams and changes in production practices

With the settlement, Walliams has achieved a significant victory and successfully defended his data protection rights. Fremantle Media, in addition to the payout, has agreed to destroy all recordings and transcripts relating to him. The production company also expressed its regret over the publication of Walliams' private conversations and stated that they have reviewed their production practices to ensure the expectations of their talent are respected.

Walliams, who has been an important part of the Britain's Got Talent family, expressed his hope for future opportunities to work with the show. The settlement brings an end to a widely-publicized legal battle that has shed light on the behind-the-scenes practices of one of the nation's favorite talent shows.