Simon Cowell breaks silence on David Walliams' BGT exit and denies involvement

ok.co.uk:

Simon Cowell has spoken out for the first time about David Walliams’ exit from Britain’s Got Talent. It was reported back in November that the comedian had decided to leave the show in the wake of his explosive voice notes being leaked, where David could be heard making derogatory remarks about one of the auditioning contestants.

He went on to apologise for his comments, with a BGT source later saying that the BGT panel for the new series of the show – which returns to screens tonight, Saturday 15 April – was “up in the air”.

Initially there were reports that fellow comic Alan Carr had been picked to replace David, but it went on to be revealed that former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli had been giving the judging gig.

Now, as BGT fans prepare for the show to start again, Simon has addressed David’s departure. “I didn’t really get involved in the decision,” he told The Sun. "From what I understand, he decided to take a step back. “It all happened relatively quickly.