Comic Relief viewers scathe TV special ‘would be perfect if it wasn’t for David Walliams’-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

David Walliams has been cast in The Traitors movie (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

The Traitors is getting a film with a pretty stellar line-up of famous faces but fans aren’t happy with one casting decision.

The second series of the reality show, presented by Claudia Winkleman, is going to be dramatically re-enacted with some of our favourite stars taking on the roles. The special movie will be aired on BBC One this Friday in a bid to help raise more money for Comic Relief, but David Walliams’ involvement has got a few viewers raising eyebrows.

The 52-year-old comedian will be playing the role of Traitor Paul Gorton and has transformed his appearance with the addition of a full beard and ginger hair, to resemble the reality star.

‘This would be perfect if it wasn’t for David Walliams,’ remarked viewer Lucy Clark on X.

Michelle Pryde added: ‘NO but I am OBSESSED. Ew to David Walliams being in this though.’

‘David Walliams aside, this is quite hilarious,’ said a conflicted Elliott.

The Traitors has got its own movie (Picture: BBC)

Other viewers questioned how Walliams was ‘still getting any air time’.

‘Who keeps giving David Walliams gigs?’ asked Kyle.

Walliams was axed from Britain’s Got Talent after ten years when an expletive rant he made about contestants was leaked. The derogatory comments included calling one contestant a ‘cunt’ and saying: ‘She thinks you want to f**k her, but you don’t’ about another.

He apologised for the ‘disrespectful’ remarks, but added that they were intended to be ‘private conversations’.

Walliams then sued the production company FremantleMedia for ‘significant damages’.

Fremantle apologised in November after agreeing to a settlement with Walliams. For the 2023 series, he was replaced by former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli.

Walliams was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent alongside Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell(Picture: Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)

Joining Walliams is ITV drama queen Suranne Jones as Claudia, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as eventual winner Harry Clark, and comedian Catherine Tate who will be playing both Evie Morrison and Charlie Bees, poking fun at viewers’ struggles to distinguish the two women.

Love Island narrator Iain Stirling will be Ross Carson, Ghosts actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe is Miles Asteri, People Just Do Nothing creator Asim Chaudhry has taken ondetective Jaz Singh, and actor Sally Phillips will get to deliver the best line as Diane Carson (But Ross is…).

While the cast has mostly been replaced by TV stars, one Faithful remains – Mollie Pearce will be herself.

The Traitors cast have been replaced by actors (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)

Diane is pretty chuffed with being played by Sally. ‘Am I ab….solute…..ly bloody flattered about being depicted by @sallysmack ??? Yes. Yes I am.’

Giving a teaser of what we can expect from the short film by asking Diane to not take offence.

‘If they kept in the bit where I was pissing about and used my may Damien from the Omen voice please don’t take it personally,’ she wrote.

Diane took it in good faith and responded: ‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much – I probably sound like that too, after a night on the Fizzy Rosé!!!’

Diane is happy that Sally is playing her in the movie (Picture: BBC)

The reality show has a relatively simple concept, but the layers of deception and paranoia it creates make for excellent TV which has captivated audiences worldwide – the greatest drama couldn’t have given us a better moment than Mollie discovering the truth about winner Harry – so the movie will have plenty to play with.

There are two teams, Traitors and Faithfuls. The Traitors must not be discovered to win, and the Faithfuls must try to discover who they are to win. Each day every person votes for who should be banished in a round table, and the surviving Traitors get to secretly murder players.

Metro.co.uk has contacted BBC for comment.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money airs at 7pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : The Traitors Australia star admits producers encouraged her to fake a pivotal scene

MORE : Amanda Holden’s newly-renovated dining room is giving The Traitors vibes

MORE : Claudia Winkleman finally clears up huge The Traitors mystery

Entertainment – MetroRead More