{"id":68961,"date":"2023-11-26T21:24:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T21:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/?p=68961"},"modified":"2023-11-26T21:24:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-26T21:24:01","slug":"david-walliams-on-brink-of-multimillion-bgt-payout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/tv-movies\/david-walliams-on-brink-of-multimillion-bgt-payout\/","title":{"rendered":"David Walliams on brink of multimillion BGT payout"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Talks were reportedly held last week with both sides wanting to come to an \u201camicable\u201d solution.<\/p>\n

Walliams, 52, is suing Fremantle Media for up to \u00a310million for breach of data protection, claiming he was \u201cspied on\u201d during his ten-year stint on the show.<\/p>\n

He said Fremantle had \u201crecorded, transcribed and retained\u201d every word he spoke during filming, adding he did not know that his microphone was kept on and was capturing many hours of private conversations.<\/p>\n

Walliams used crude, derogatory language to mock two contestants. His words were later leaked to the media.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Britain’s Got Talent in backstage ‘pay row’ as Bruno Tonioli gets secret ‘rise’<\/strong><\/p>\n

The comedian, who publicly apologised for his \u201cdisrespectful\u201d remarks, said the fallout destroyed his \u201creputation and career\u201d and he lost earnings, including a \u00a31million contract to work as a judge on BGT 2023 which was withdrawn.<\/p>\n

He and his lawyers argue the comments were part of a private conversation and were not intended for broadcast. They say 1,700 hours of audio recordings \u2013 including personal conversations about the breakdown of his marriage \u2013 were collected by Fremantle.<\/p>\n

Remarks made by fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, not meant for broadcast, were reportedly processed.<\/p>\n

Since the scandal, Walliams has been treated for severe depression and has had \u201cactive suicidal thoughts\u201d, legal papers say.<\/p>\n

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In a draft report, his psychiatrist Dr Mark Collins said Walliams has \u201clost the ability […] to be funny\u201d.<\/p>\n

A source told a Sunday newspaper both want to avoid court and that an agreement is \u201cnot far off\u201d.<\/p>\n

Fremantle previously said it is \u201csaddened\u201d by the legal action.<\/p>\n