David Walliams poked fun at his Britain’s Got Talent boss Simon Cowell when he hosted the 100th Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen and Prince Philip.
The Little Britain star, a judge on the talent show, was lowered onto the Royal Albert Hall stage wearing a jet pack for an evening of James Bond-themed entertainment to mark 50 years of the 007 film franchise.
He joked: “When they said, ‘We would like you to present a show in front of the Queen,’ I thought, ‘Why doesn’t Simon Cowell ask me personally?’
“They said, ‘It’s someone in charge of the country.’ I said, ‘Simon, I know.’ They said, ‘Have you not seen their crown jewels?’ I said, ‘How do you think I got the job on Britain’s Got Talent?’ Then they said, ‘I’m talking about Elizabeth.’ I said, ‘He only goes by that name at the weekend.’”
Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey performed an 007-inspired dance routine on a bill which included Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Girls Aloud, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Katherine Jenkins, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli and Bill Bailey.
Walliams dressed as a smitten teenage girl to introduce boy band One Direction.
