David Walliams has quit as host of National Television Awards following his debut last month.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge took over the presenting job from Dermot O’Leary and wasted no time in dishing up topical gags, including a ‘cheap’ dig at the late Caroline Flack, however, reports claim he’s now stepped down.
‘David is a very sensitive soul and was all too aware of the negative feedback. He doesn’t want to put himself through that again,’ a source told the Mail On Sunday.
The comedian dropped a ‘painful’ joke about Caroline during the ceremony where he compared her to The Masked Singer’s Hedgehog and he’s since been urged to apologise for the gag since her suicide.
At the time, Caroline had been keeping a low profile after stepping down as Love Island host following her alleged altercation with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
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In the wake of the 40-year-old’s suicide on Saturday, Twitter users demanded that David says sorry for the jibe.
Celebrities have been paying tribute to Caroline following the news of her passing, with This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield paving the way.
Caroline’s boyfriend Lewis Burton also posted a heartbreaking message to his girlfriend following her tragic death on Saturday. ‘My heart is broken we had something so special,’ the 27-year-old wrote.
‘I am so lost for words I am in so much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I don’t think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking.’
He added: ‘I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday. ‘I love you with all my heart.’
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Metro.co.uk has contacted David’s rep for comment.
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MORE: David Walliams urged to apologise for ‘cheap’ Caroline Flack joke after her suicide
MORE: The Masked Singer’s Katherine Jenkins pays tribute to Caroline Flack as she’s unmasked as Octopus
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