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Simon Cowell admits it was 'awful' to see David Walliams winning best judge at NTAs

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Earlier in 2015, comedian David Walliams picked up the Best Judge award at the National Television Awards - and TV's original reality show judge, Simon Cowell, has now admitted that it was "one of the most awful moments" of his career. Simon was speaking at the launch of the latest season of Britain's Got Talent, which is back on TV screens this week.

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"When I found out there was this category [at the NTAs] I literally got a knot in my stomach," said Simon.

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BGT © Photo: ITV

L-R: David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell

He continued: "I didn't know about it for two or three days before the awards. I saw David doing some stuff on his Twitter page and it was all about this thing. I then found out that for months he'd been running this campaign!

"So I quickly get on my Twitter page and start doing what I can, then I found out on the night that he'd won it and I had to accept it on his behalf. It was one of the most awful moments of my TV career."

During the awards broadcast, Simon accepted the award on David's behalf - and as the new season of the hit ITV reality show launched, David jokily suggested that Simon's 10 million Twitter followers were clearly only following him "out of ghoulish fascination".

BGT 2 © Photo: ITV

The four judges have now worked together for four years

"It's great that people voted for me [for the NTAs] but I can't say why," David added, before suggesting that life back on Britain's Got Talent after winning has been different,

"It was difficult at times but it's not easy being the nation's favourite, it's quite a burden."

Despite rumours of a change in line-up, the show sees the return of not only David and Simon, but also Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden to the judging panel, and presenting duo Ant and Dec hosting from backstage.

Simon added of the team: "I think this is about as good as we've done on any show. I like being on this show but more importantly the other three like being on the show."

BGT 3 © Photo: ITV

Ant and Dec also return to host the show 

The four judges clearly get on well - despite David and Simon's friendly rivalry - and Amanda admitted that she sees Alesha as "back-up" rather than a rival. "Having another girl, I think Simon hoped would be awkward for me, but it's turned out that we are a sisterhood and strong together."

She added: "I'm from a matriarchal family, so another girl sitting next to me is no threat, it's fantastic.

"We are very different, but we have found common ground in our children and our attitudes, we are both very strong and feisty, not-to-be-messed-with women."

Britain's Got Talent returns on 11 April