Entertainer David Walliams Faces Workplace and Fan Misconduct Claims

Entertainer and author David Walliams has denied accusations of workplace harassment and misconduct involving young fans, following the conclusion of a three-year investigation by the Guardian and ITN. The published claims allege that the television personality preyed on young women and teenage girls as young as 15 for sexual purposes.

Prior to publication, legal representatives for Walliams sought a High Court injunction to prevent the report from being released, arguing that public disclosure could lead to him taking his own life. The High Court refused the injunction request, allowing the news organisations to proceed with publishing their findings.

In response to the allegations, Walliams denied all claims of predatory behaviour and illegal acts. In a letter addressed to journalists working on the investigation, he stated that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. However, he acknowledged that he behaved thoughtlessly at times toward individuals with whom he had casual sexual relationships, and expressed devastation that women he met 10 to 20 years ago have expressed hurt or anger.

Walliams rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the co-creator and star of the BBC comedy sketch programme Little Britain alongside Matt Lucas. The successful series drew audiences of 10 million viewers in the United Kingdom and earned multiple accolades, including three Baftas and two International Emmys.

Beyond television, Walliams established a career as a children's author, publishing his first book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. His works have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. In 2025, publisher HarperCollins dropped Walliams following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which he also denied. He additionally served as a judge on the television programme Britain's Got Talent from 2012 until his departure in 2022.