Warning: The following post contains discussions of sexual misconduct and self-harm.
British children’s author, actor, OBE recipient, and comedian David Walliams is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct following a joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian. According to the findings, published Tuesday, November 10, multiple women accused Walliams of using his celebrity status to groom them as teenagers.
The report also accused Walliams of abusing his position while serving as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent and working with his former publisher, HarperCollins.
Walliams denied the allegations and previously sought a court injunction to prevent the outlets from identifying him, arguing that the publication of the allegations would put him at risk of self-harm.
The legal battle delayed the investigation’s release for months, but a judge rejected his request last week. The order protecting his identity expired Monday, allowing the allegations to become public.
According to the report, one woman alleged that Walliams sexually assaulted her at his London home when she was just 15 years old.
Walliams is best known as the cocreator and star of the hit BBC sketch comedy series Little Britain alongside Matt Lucas. He later served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent from 2012 to 2022. Beyond television, Walliams became a bestselling children’s author with books such as Gangsta Granny and The Boy in the Dress. He also earned widespread recognition for his endurance swimming challenges, which raised millions for charity.
What was David Walliams’ response?
Walliams strongly denies all allegations, stating he is “not a sexual predator” and has broken no laws.
In a letter addressed to the Guardian, Walliams wrote: “Looking back, I realize that, at times, I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with.”
“I realize I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret,” he wrote. “And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely, and it is something that I never did.”
Dartmouth Films /Courtesy Everett Collection
He added: “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.”
According to The Guardian, his lawyers explained that his response to the allegations and the possible publication was not a sign of guilt but rather a fear of public shame that came from deep-rooted trauma caused by childhood experience.
What has happened since the allegations?
The BBC is removing Little Britain and other shows featuring Walliams from iPlayer as it reviews his past work following the allegations.
His former publisher, HarperCollins, has also cut ties with him, dropping his 23 books, including e-books and audiobooks. According to The Guardian, the publisher had received complaints about his behavior, including allegations that he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a younger female employee and pursued another.
Meanwhile, U.K. theme park Alton Towers announced it was permanently closing its “World of David Walliams” attraction.
The BBC also confirmed it has no future projects planned with Walliams, while he has been dropped from the upcoming film The Road to Never More.
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network‘s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911.
