David Walliams Named After Losing Legal Battle
Walliams denies wrongdoing.
Legal Action Against Media Outlets
Four years work, some of it under tortuous legal and moral threat – a powerful investigation into David Walliams by The Guardian and ITV News, written in part by brilliant friends of the CIJ Maeve McClenaghan, Imogen Barrer, Amanda Nunn and Sirin Kale. https://t.co/UL15B9D8aM…
Allegations of Grooming and Misconduct
David Walliams has been revealed as the anonymous celebrity who fought to conceal his identity amid sexual misconduct allegations, with his lawyers arguing the claims going public could put him at risk of suicide. Allegations include grooming teenage girls as young as 15 and… pic.twitter.com/U0PLmZsZFS
Walliams says he rejects any allegations of criminal activity and has never engaged in the grooming of young women, according to ITV.
Specific Allegations Detailed
ITV News detailed several accounts. Alex*, who met Walliams in 2004 when she was 15 and he was 32, alleges he contacted her and discussed her age. Her notes from their call state: “He said, ‘right, so you’re what, 15, 16?’ I said, ‘I’m 16 in May’. He said, ‘I’m sure you’re a very clever girl.’”
David Walliams has, finally, been named as the celebrity about whom sordid allegations have been circulating for decades. I delved into his downfall for @spectator https://t.co/CkTt4Hg4sM
Another woman, Sarah*, was 18 when she met the then-44-year-old Walliams in 2016 after being invited to a Britain’s Got Talent taping by a friend. Two weeks later, Sarah and her friend, both 18, went to his house in London after he invited them to stay the night, ITV reported.
Allegations also extend to the workplace. The Guardian and ITV News allege Walliams engaged in “inappropriate behavior towards women” at Britain’s Got Talent, where he was a judge from 2012 to 2022, and at his publisher HarperCollins. These include claims he messaged young female junior employees and invited young female fans backstage and into his hotel room, CNN reported.
Professional Fallout
Following the publication of the allegations, Walliams was dropped by his literary agent, Independent Talent Group, they told CNN on Tuesday.
The investigation, titled David Walliams: Power and Silence, was conducted by ITV News and The Guardian. It is available to watch on ITVX and YouTube.
The @itvnews investigation which David Walliams tried to stop in the courts. Watch here 👇 https://t.co/jvXQEwPPQW
Questions About the Allegations Against David Walliams
What are the main allegations against David Walliams?
The allegations, reported by ITV News and The Guardian, claim Walliams abused his celebrity status to groom and engage in inappropriate sexual conduct with teenage girls and young women, some as young as 15. He denies these claims.
When did the alleged incidents occur?
The alleged incidents span from 2003 to 2016, according to the joint investigation by ITV News and The Guardian, with specific cases cited in 2004 and 2016.
What was the outcome of Walliams’ legal action?
Walliams lost his High Court bid to prevent the publication of the allegations. He missed the deadline to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeal, allowing him to be named publicly, News24 reported.
More on David Walliams
Related reading