Posts Tagged ‘“david walliams”’

Britain’s Got Talent 2012 Final: Pudsey voted top dog

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Britain's Got Talent 2012: Ashleigh and Pudsey

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Britain\'s Got Talent 2012: Ashleigh and Pudsey
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Always thought something a little bit different was going to win BGT this year and am not at all surprised it was the dog. I think people are a bit bored of karaoke acts and genuinely want to see original and interesting talent.

And while I would have loved the synchronised swimmers Aquabatique to have scooped first prize (original and truly difficult to perform) I’m not at all surprised it was Pudsey who proved to be the competition’s top dog. With a whopping half a million quid prize money that’s an awful lot of Pedigree Chum!

Obviously there is no getting away from the fact that dogs are cute and this one especially, but there was something about his owner Ashleigh and her genuine warmth and love for Pudsey that shone through. Tonight’s Mission Impossible, or should that be im-pawsible, routine, was inspired though Jonathan and Charlotte – the opera singers – proved to be worthy runners’ up. What a transformation from those two both in terms of looks and performance since the audition when she seemed to be little more than a prop for his talent.

As for the rest, I really liked The Lovable Rogues who also performed their own stuff, sounding a bit like Rizzle Kicks meets Plan B with a bit of Madness thrown in (though not quite as much as the judges kept going on about). Ryan O’Shaughnessy showed he had original talent with his own songs too – though his James Taylor inspired style wasn’t really to my liking.

All in all I thought this year’s BGT was pretty good viewing. David Walliams, in particular, gave the show a camp humour which made it seem less up its own arse than previous overblown Americanised Simon Cowell productions. Walliams’ performance with The Show Bears was typical and the way he pretended to fawn over ‘My Simon’ was reminiscent of the Little Britain Prime Minister sketches with Anthony Head.

Even Cowell seemed to get into the show this year (especially Ashleigh and Pudsey), though his comments at the end seemed to suggest that BGT had run its course. Surely not? Or maybe it has on ITV and he is planning to move it to the Beeb as reported.

My only criticism is that the early stages seemed pretty rushed with you only getting very quick bursts of the acts. Still there are only so many acts like the man doing Dalek impressions with a saucepan on his head you can put up with at any one time. And it was much better than last year which was won by the instantly forgettable Jai McDowall. Who?

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It’s reality TV war as Britain’s Got Talent takes on The Voice in ITV/BBC battle

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Singer Jessie J: one of the judges on the BBC's The Voice

So the gloves are off this weekend as a new series of Britain’s Got Talent goes head to head with the Beeb’s latest reality TV show, The Voice – in which the deal is you get to hear the singers without actually seeing what they look like.

Yesterday saw the official launch of a new series of Britain’s Got Talent which marks the return of music supremo Simon Cowell to the UK as well as a new judging panel, including comedian and swimmer David Walliams and singer Alesha Dixon – poached of course from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Word on the street is that Britain’s Got Talent is a little slicker than before and the acts – at least from the first episode – are a little less ‘out there’ (which sounds a bit of a shame as I liked the more bizarre ones).

Speaking at yesterday’s BGT launch,  Cowell claimed that he is ready for a battle with the BBC and denied accusations that he wanted Tom Jones – one of The Voice’s judging panel – to work for him.

“I think [The Voice] have got themselves in a mess,” said Cowell. “They need to get their sense of humour back.

“I read one thing today and I want to clear the record up. It was intimated that Tom Jones had been offered a role on one of my shows.

“I met the guy once in Vegas and I think the show he must have been talking about was Opportunity Knocks. It wasn’t one of my shows. He might have got the names confused.”

He added: “They are winding this up to be a big battle, but it’s not. The shows go out at the same time and the better one wins.

The Voice airs on BBC1, 7pm and Britain’s Got Talent starts ITV1, 8pm

Britain's Got Talent 2012

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Britain\'s Got Talent 2012
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Simon Cowell arriving at the press launch for Britains Got Talent at The BFI in London.

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Britain’s Got Talent: David Walliams reprimanded for rude comments

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

David Walliams: asked to tone down comments for BGT

David Walliams has been warned to tone down his outrageous comments.  The 40-year-old comic has reportedly been reprimanded by Britain’s Got Talent bosses who fear his lewd humour is too much for the show’s early evening time slot.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “A lot of Walliams’ comments need editing out. It certainly can’t go on for the rest of filming. If we don’t get clean comments, that act won’t get a big showing.

“It’s a learning curve. He was very funny but we need him to be more family-friendly. But we’re still confident we made the right choice. Simon Cowell loves the banter and thinks the new panel has great chemistry.”

David made a string of flirty sexual comments towards fellow judge Simon, including asking: “Did that raise you up?” when a gay ballroom dance duo performed to Westlife hit ‘You Raise Me Up.’

He then went on to describe a scenario of himself and the music mogul re-enacting the performance and added: “You would be the lifter. You understand what I mean.”

At the second day of auditions in Manchester on Saturday (21.01.12), Simon told the audience: “David behaved very badly yesterday.”

Despite his comments, show bosses are delighted with David’ s introduction to the judging panel alongside Simon, Amanda Holden and fellow newcomer Alesha Dixon.

An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “We’re thrilled with the natural chemistry between the judges – and hope it will continue throughout the series.

“The banter between David Walliams and Simon Cowell has been hysterical – they both give as good as they get which is going to make really entertaining television.”

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Britain’s Got Talent auditions to be held in Blackpool

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Britain’s Got Talent will be holding auditions in Blackpool.

The ITV1 show is set to return to TV screens later this year and bosses are keen to get more cabaret-style acts in the competition so think returning to the North West seaside town for the first time since 2008 will provide them with that.

They have also switched the Scottish auditions from Glasgow – where Susan Boyle wowed everyone in 2009 – to Edinburgh.

One insider told The Sun newspaper: “Blackpool is well-known for its entertainment heritage and producers really hope this will throw up some quality acts.

“Producers also hope that by moving the Scottish auditions from Glasgow to Edinburgh they will tap a rich new seam of acts there as well.”

The new judging line-up of Simon Cowell, singer Alesha Dixon, comedian David Walliams and returning judge Amanda Holden, will visit the famous Opera House at the Winter Gardens on January 24.

Hosts Ant and Dec will lead a parade on the Promenade on January 18.

When the show previously went to Blackpool, Simon – who didn’t take part in last year’s auditions – said the audience was the best he’d come across.

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Little Britain’s David Walliams and Matt Lucas decide to part company

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

David Walliams and Matt Lucas - one of the most popular comedy double acts ever

One of the most successful comedy partnerships since The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise have called time on their professional partnership.

David Walliams and Matt Lucas, who made a mint after creating the hit sketch series Little Britain, are to part ways after more than two decades of performing together and make separate new shows for the BBC.

While the pair had originally planned to write a second series of hilarious spoof show Come Fly With Me, David is now reportedly developing his first comedy without Matt, in which he will portray a stressed-out classroom teacher.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old Matt will return to his former role in Les Miserables in London’s West End theatre district before fronting BBC One’s The Matt Lucas Awards, which will see him dole out a series of alternative accolades.

A friend of the pair told The Sun newspaper: “They still get on but as far as being working partners is concerned, that had ground to a halt.

“They both wanted to do completely different things. Neither wants to be defined by the partnership any more. They want to be known as more than those guys that do Little Britain.”

It’s understandable I guess, but the comedy duo – who met while performing with the National Youth Theatre in 1990 – definitely brought out the best in each other. It will be interesting to see how they will fare alone.

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David Walliams completes Comic Relief challenge

Monday, March 7th, 2011

David Walliams took part in 20 panel shows in just 24 hours this weekend.

The 39-year-old comedian completed the gruelling TV marathon alongside a whole host of stars – including X Factor’s Jedward, Christopher Biggins and Keith Harris – to raise money for Comic Relief by presenting and taking part in BBC Three’s ’24-Hour Panel People’.

Millions watched online as he embarked upon the challenge at midday on Saturday (05.03.11), appearing on the panel of ‘Would I Lie to You’ with Sean Lock and singer Jamelia.

After taking part in ‘Blankety Blank’, ‘Whose Line is it Anyway’, ‘Mastermind’ and ‘Generation Game’, David ended the excruciating stint yesterday (06.03.11), hosting ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’, which featured guests Alexa Chung and Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant.

Afterwards the exhausted funnyman told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It’s like I descended into madness! It was fine, but it takes its toll. I was a little bit delirious towards the end.”

“The most frightening was ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’, you have to do those improv games and I don’t know how to do it.”

Meanwhile, singer Alesha Dixon is also getting involved with raising money for Comic Relief, joining former Spice Girl Mel C and presenter Denise Van Outen on the judging panel for the final of BBC One’s ‘Comic Relief Does Glee Club’, which will see performing arts clubs in the UK battle it out in a talent contest.

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