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David Walliams Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations
· Confirmed
In Short: TV personality David Walliams is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenagers, as reported by Aol and Heraldscotland.
David Walliams (6745348487).
BREAKING: David Walliams NAMED Over Allegations Involving Girls As Young As 15. The Julia Hartley-Brewer Show on Talk
TV personality David Walliams is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenagers, as reported by Aol and Heraldscotland. Aol detailed that Walliams allegedly began contacting a woman when she was 15, leading to a sexual relationship when she turned 17. Heraldscotland reported that the allegations date back to 2003 and involve multiple women who claim Walliams groomed them when they were teenagers.
Metro and Standard both reported that Walliams sought an injunction to prevent the broadcast and publication of these allegations, citing a risk of suicide following two previous attempts. Metro noted that one woman, who was 18 at the time, said Walliams stared at her intently during a Little Britain filming and later pursued her by sending a card to her mother’s house.
According to Aol and Heraldscotland, Walliams denied any wrongdoing and 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.” Aol also reported that Walliams told the publications he believed she was 18 at the time they had sex, while the woman said she felt groomed.
The investigation, as reported by Heraldscotland and Metro, involved more than 100 people, including over 30 sources with first-hand accounts, Walliams’ friends, and colleagues. The High Court in London heard that the allegations involved Walliams’ alleged abuse of power and status to contact young women and engage in inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities.
Walliams was dropped by his literary agency, Independent Talent Group (ITG), who said, “ITG is deeply disturbed by the allegations concerning David Walliams. Our thoughts are with anyone who has been affected.” Standard also noted that Walliams told the publications he realized he had “behaved thoughtlessly” but denied abusing his power as a celebrity.
The BBC, as reported by Aol and Standard, is removing Little Britain and other shows from iPlayer as it reviews all content featuring Walliams. Deadline reported that the BBC is also reviewing all material featuring Walliams, including his children’s books. The allegations have led to Walliams leaving his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since 2012.
Nationalworld reported that HarperCollins announced it would not publish any new books by Walliams following the allegations. Nationalworld also noted that a theme park attraction based on Walliams’ books was permanently closed.
Despite the conflicting details, all outlets agree that Walliams is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenagers and young women, leading to significant career setbacks and legal action.
What this adds
The investigation revealed a pattern of behavior over a decade, involving multiple women who were teenagers at the time of their interactions with Walliams.
What's confirmed
- One woman alleged Walliams began contacting her when she was 15 after meeting her at a Little Britain fan event, before starting a sexual relationship with her at the age of 17, ITV News reported.
- The three-year joint investigation revealed a number of allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2003.
- During a two-day trial in late October, the High Court in London was told by lawyers for the media organisations that the allegations they wanted to report involved Walliam’s alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities”.
- The allegations made against Walliams on Tuesday are the lowest moment yet in the career of a man that until several years ago was considered one of showbusiness’s biggest stars, with hit TV shows and a hugely successful children’s writing career.
- Walliams sought an injunction to prevent this broadcast and publication because of a risk that he would take his own life, following two previous suicide attempts, the court was told.
- Following the revelations, the BBC said they were in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, from their platforms, whilst a review into all material featuring and written by Walliams was underway.
- The Little Britain and Britain's Got Talent star has been accused of preying on teenage girls and young women for sexual purposes.
- According to the report, Walliams has denied any wrongdoing.
What's still developing
- Walliams left his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent (BGT), which he had appeared on since 2012, after he was found to have made sexually explicit and derogatory remarks towards some of the contestants.
- David Walliams: Career highs and lows as celebrity faces sex allegations "He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions”, a spokesperson for Walliams said in December.
- “Hi, it’s David Walliams,” she says she remembers him saying over the phone in January 2004.
- Walliams is best known for comedy sketches on “Little Britain,” a hugely popular British TV show in the 2000s, but he’s also a celebrated children’s book author with some 40 published titles that sold more than 60 million copies worldwide, according to his website.