LONDON — British comedian and children’s author David Walliams has been accused of grooming girls and young women for sexual purposes, according to reports from ITV News and The Guardian. Their investigation features testimonies from several women detailing alleged inappropriate conduct by Walliams.
One woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by Walliams at his London home when she was just 15 years old. Others described experiences of being groomed by him during their teenage years. Walliams, 55, has denied these allegations and attempted to block the news outlets from identifying him by seeking a court injunction, arguing that the publication of these claims could lead him to take his own life.
A judge rejected Walliams’ request for the injunction last week, and his identity became public following a court ruling on Monday. In a letter to the media, Walliams stated, “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.” He further asserted that while a power imbalance exists due to his fame, he never abused that power.
Walliams gained notoriety through his role in the television series “Little Britain” and has authored over 40 children’s books, which have collectively sold more than 60 million copies worldwide. Productions based on his works, including “Gangsta Granny,” have been adapted into BBC dramas and stage shows. Following the allegations, producers of an upcoming film titled “Fing!” announced they had removed Walliams’ cameo and stated he would not participate in the film’s release or promotion.
Walliams was previously dropped by his publisher, HarperCollins, after reports surfaced of inappropriate behavior, although those details were limited. The investigation has revealed long-standing concerns regarding his conduct, including allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a junior female employee.
Walliams was also a judge on the talent show “Britain’s Got Talent” for a decade before stepping down last year after issuing an apology for making disrespectful remarks towards auditioning contestants.
The BBC announced it would remove certain programs starring Walliams while reviewing content associated with him. Independent Talent Group, Walliams’ literary agency, also stated it would no longer represent him.
The lawsuit brought attention to the balance between the privacy rights of public figures and the media’s obligation to report on matters of public interest. Walliams’ lawyer indicated he had made suicide attempts following the receipt of the allegations and had been hospitalized for psychiatric care.
Attorney Gavin Millar, representing the news organizations, stated that the allegations emerged from a comprehensive investigation involving interviews with more than 100 individuals. Millar highlighted that some of the alleged behavior could potentially constitute criminal offenses if substantiated.
The Metropolitan Police have reached out to the news outlets to ensure that any potential victims are aware of how to report criminal allegations related to the case.
In his ruling on the injunction, Justice Matthew Nicklin acknowledged Walliams’ psychological vulnerabilities but emphasized that the evidence did not support the conclusion that suicide was a guaranteed outcome. He described the proposed injunction as an “exceptionally serious interference” with media rights.
