David Walliams booed by NTAs audience and fans want him sacked after ‘nasty’ joke about Caroline Flack’s career

DAVID Walliams was booed by the National Television Awards audience after making a joke about Caroline Flack’s career.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge hosted the annual ceremony at London’s O2 Arena for the first time last night, and it seems many were unimpressed by his debut.

Things were so bad that a number of fans called for him to be sacked – and Piers Morgan branded him “nasty” and a “massive d***head”.

Things hit a particularly low point towards the end of the evening, as The Masked Singer’s Joel Dommett arrived on stage to present an award alongside show contestant Hedgehog.

Joel said it might not be the real celebrity who is masquerading as Hedgehog on the ITV singing show inside the costume, and they could actually be at home “watching Love Island”.

After Emmerdale won the award, Joel was seen leading Hedgehog off stage and David, 48, quipped: “Thank you Joel – and so nice to see Caroline Flack back on TV as well.”

As the audience realised he was hinting Caroline could have been in the Hedgehog costume, they started to boo loudly while he started his next link.

Caroline, 40, isn’t hosting the current series of ITV2’s Love Island after stepping down following her assault charge late last year involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton.

She has taken some time out of the spotlight, and Laura Whitmore has stepped in as host for this series.

David’s joke didn’t go down well on Twitter either, with Piers Morgan tweeting: “Walliams’ nasty little dig at Caroline Flack went down like a lead balloon.

“A bit like his entire hosting performance tonight. #NTAs.”

Other viewers were equally unimpressed, with one tweeting: “David Walliams should be sacked, he said it. That was bad the nasty dig at Caroline Flack crossed the line! #NTAs.”

Another added: “Well that Caroline Flack comment wasn’t awkward at all…….”

A third wrote: “Well David’s joke about Caroline Flack backfired.”

Others called for David to be axed after one stint as host, with a viewer tweeting: “Bring back
@radioleary to host the #NTAs next year I mean David Walliams was dreadful and just not funny stick to  @BGT David.”

Another added: “OMG @davidwalliams just died on his arse at the #NTAs what a s***e host.”

A fellow viewer agreed, tweeting: “#NTAs David Walliams hasn’t been funny since Little Britain! Boring, stale and cringe worthy.”

Watching the show from the comfort of his own home after boycotting the ceremony, Piers wasted no time in criticising his rival’s hosting skills.

He began by writing: “David Walliams already very very annoying. #NTAs.”

Name-checking Ricky Gervais, who was in the crowd after his recent critically acclaimed mauling of the Hollywood elite at the Golden Globes, Piers wrote: “Walliams bombing so badly. Unbearable to know @rickygervais is sitting in the audience but we have to endure this horror hosting.

“Come on Ricky, storm the stage.. #NTAs.”

Walliams playfully referenced Judy Finnigan’s famous outfit blunder, when her top fell open as she accepted an award beside her husband Richard Madeley in 2001, by stripping down to his pants.

He perched on Ant and Dec’s lap as it was revealed he was the recipient of the Best Judge gong.

Furious Piers wrote: “F*ck me. Just when you thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, creepy Walliams strips half naked to give himself an award.”

When a follower asked why he hated Wallimas so much, Piers replied: “Nothing personal – he’s just a massive d***head.”