David Walliams Identified as Celebrity Who Attempted to Block Sexual Misconduct Claims

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — Two prominent British news organizations have identified famous comedian and children’s author David Walliams as the anonymous figure who sought to prevent the media from publishing serious allegations. The claims involve alleged grooming and sexual misconduct involving young fans.

Walliams, a major figure in the UK entertainment industry, is the subject of a joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News. The report, released on Tuesday, follows just one week after a UK High Court judge rejected his request for an injunction. The judge dismissed the legal attempt to suppress the story, citing a potential risk of suicide if the details became public.

In a comprehensive statement provided to the investigating outlets, Walliams denied all accusations. The investigation features multiple first-hand accounts from young women who claim the comedian utilized his high profile to pursue them sexually while they were in their teenage years or early twenties.

One accuser, who labeled the actions as sexual assault and grooming, stated he reached out via MySpace when she was 15 years old. She described exchanging emails, including some through her school account, prior to meeting in person. She alleged that Walliams kissed her and brought her to his residence, where he initiated sexual contact until she resisted.

Legal representatives for Walliams have denied that any grooming or sexual contact occurred with this individual.

A second woman reported that Walliams contacted her in January 2004 after a fan event when she was 15. She provided him with comedy scripts and a cover letter containing her contact information. She claimed that by the time she was 17, they were having sex, though she described him as pushy and made her feel like a prostitute.

Walliams’ lawyers maintain the woman was 18 at the time of the alleged encounter and deny her account.

The reporting suggests that the majority of the women involved were over the age of majority during their interactions. In his response, Walliams acknowledged he may have behaved thoughtlessly regarding casual relationships and expressed regret for not properly considering others’ feelings. He emphasized that while power imbalances exist for celebrities, he is not a predator and did not break the law.

The High Court judge ruled the risk of suicide was grave but not inevitable, concluding that an injunction would represent unacceptable interference with press freedom. Walliams did not appeal the ruling. The investigation also alleges inappropriate behavior during his tenure as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent from 2012 to 2022. Sources claim he messaged junior female staff and invited fans to his hotel room.

Walliams’ legal team denied the claims of workplace harassment and inappropriate conduct. Fremantle UK, the producer of the show, stated they were disturbed and concerned by the reports but noted no complaints were filed during his employment. The company encouraged others with similar experiences to come forward.

Regarding his publisher HarperCollins, reports indicate a sexual relationship with a much younger junior employee, which lawyers describe as consensual. In December 2023, the publisher announced it would stop releasing new titles by Walliams without a public explanation, though The Telegraph linked the decision to an investigation into his behavior. The Independent Talent Group also dropped him following the publication of these allegations.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>