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David Walliams joins as Australia’s Got Talent judge

Britain's Got Talent judge signs on alongside Alesha Dixon, Kate Ritchie and Shane Jacobson.

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Britain’s Got Talent judge and Little Britain star David Walliams has joined the judging panel of Australia’s Got Talent for Seven.

He replaces Neil Patrick Harris with other cast announced for 2021 all returning: Alesha Dixon, Kate Ritchie and Shane Jacobson. That season had to be abandoned due to COVID lockdowns, but Seven was keen to retain as many as possible for 2022.

“All the Australians I’ve met have been very outgoing, so I don’t expect them to be as shy as British people are sometimes,” said Walliams.

“People have had much more time than usual to work on their acts, so I’m expecting the standard to be really high. If its anything like BGT, there will be great excitement when people first step out on the stage, as many people haven’t done that for a very long time.”

On the hit format’s enduring appeal, David said: “I think people have always liked shows they can watch together, however in recent years people have watched different things on different devices. A show like Got Talent brings the whole family together and you want to watch it as it happens.

“Every year it’s something different, because absolutely anybody can audition for the show. You don’t even have to be human to win. The show is always full of surprises, you never know what you’re going to see.”

Ricki-Lee also returns as host, having undertaken hosting duties for Seven in 2019.

A $100,000 grand prize is on offer, with Australian acts taking on some of the best from around the world.

Seven’s Chief Content Officer, Entertainment Programming, Angus Ross, said: “This is AGT on a scale like never before – to be the best, you have to beat the best – I’m sure Australia will agree it’s been worth the wait. We’re thrilled to welcome David to the world-class judging panel, and can’t wait for AGT to deliver all the spectacular, surprising and must-see moments families across the nation absolutely love.”

Filming by Fremantle starts in Sydney later this month with free tickets now available and will screen in 2022.

10 Responses

  1. Have to wonder if NHP got the pay cheque for basically a couple of weeks in quarantine. He seems an unlikely choice and other than the pandemic I doubt he’d have even considered it, so cancelling the series probably worked in his favour if he still got paid.

  2. So glad David Walliams is on the panel with Alesha, love both of them on BGT. I’m not a fan of Kate and Shane, so by having David and Alesha there I’m in. Can’t wait for it to begin now.

  3. Of course it’s always better to have a local get the job but that’s not happening on other shows like The Voice, Masked Singer, Ninja Warrior, Holey Moley, Celebrity Apprentice and probably others I can’t think of at the moment. Not everyone is going to like all the judges whether they’re all local or mixed with overseas people.

    1. Where you mention it’s not happening on other shows, it is happening on those shows but there are international hires too. Celebrity Apprentice has 1 being Alan Sugar, The Voice had 1 with Rita Ora, the same or less for the others. AGT will have 2 plus international acts.

      1. That’s what I was trying to say. It’s not happening on other shows that they are all local. They are mixed. David did I write it incorrectly or did you misread it? lol I think we’re on the same page now.

    1. They’re definitely relevant and qualified so they can give good feedback for the talent. There have been times in some talent shows or shows with judges where you’re left wondering why they are there. The method is there for getting viewers but it won’t be known until the ratings come in as to the success.

  6. Kate and Shane I am here for. Even Alesha to an extent, but now with David it’s like ch7 just got lazy and invited half the uk judging panel. Shame as it had real potential with NPH, whilst I understand commitments might not have aligned this time, I think there were better options than David.

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