Reported by 4 sources

The short version

  • Multiple women allege David Walliams groomed them when they were teenagers or young adults.
  • HarperCollins announced it would no longer publish Walliams' extensive back catalog in September.
  • Walliams denies being a sexual predator but admits to behaving thoughtlessly in past relationships.

The publishing world has moved swiftly to distance itself from David Walliams, the comedian and former judge on Britain’s Got Talent, following serious allegations of sexual misconduct. In September, HarperCollins announced it would cease publication of Walliams’ extensive back catalog. This decision came as an investigation by The Guardian and ITV News uncovered claims from multiple women who allege that Walliams abused his power and position as a celebrity to prey on them for sexual purposes when they were young.

The allegations paint a pattern of behavior spanning years, with accusers describing interactions that began when they were as young as 15. One woman, identified only as Alex, recalls receiving a phone call from Walliams in January 2004 when she was 15 and studying for her GCSEs. At the time, Walliams was 32 and rising to fame with the sketch show Little Britain. Alex says she had previously met him at a fan event where he signed autographs. She remembers him commenting on her appearance before she gave him scripts she had written, hoping to pursue a career in comedy writing.

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According to Alex’s notes from that period, Walliams expressed surprise upon learning she was still in school, asking if she was 15 or 16. The conversation reportedly touched on her exams and the possibility of attending live performances. Over the following two years, they exchanged emails and phone calls. Alex states that by the time she was 17, their relationship had become sexual. She describes the interactions as traumatizing and has requested anonymity to protect her identity.

Another accuser, referred to as Jade, alleges a similar timeline of contact beginning when she was 15. She claims that weeks after Walliams first made contact, he invited her to his home and initiated sexual contact. While most of the women involved in the investigation were over 18 during their interactions with Walliams, the allegations center on the power imbalance inherent in his celebrity status and the age gap between him and his fans.

The scrutiny has also extended to Walliams’ professional conduct. Several sources have described inappropriate behavior towards women in the workplace, specifically citing incidents at both Britain’s Got Talent and HarperCollins. These accounts contribute to a broader narrative of misconduct that has prompted significant institutional response, including the removal of his books from shelves.

Walliams has denied the allegations of grooming and sexual predation. In a letter addressed to journalists working on the investigation, he acknowledged past mistakes but stopped short of admitting to abuse. He wrote, “Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with.” He added that he regrets not always taking people’s feelings into account.

However, Walliams drew a firm line regarding the severity of the accusations. He stated, “Whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did.” He emphasized that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law, expressing devastation that women he met 10 to 20 years ago have expressed hurt or anger towards him.

The controversy has sparked widespread public discourse, with support organizations noting an increase in inquiries related to sexual abuse. The ITV News documentary accompanying the investigation, titled David Walliams: Power and Silence, is available for viewing on YouTube and ITVX. As the cultural conversation continues, the publishing industry’s decision to pull his work stands as a significant consequence of the allegations.

Support for anyone affected by sexual abuse issues remains available through various UK helplines, including Rape Crisis and the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac). The case underscores the ongoing reckoning with historical misconduct in the entertainment industry and the lasting impact on victims who have come forward years after the alleged events.

What remains unresolved is the full extent of Walliams’ conduct and whether further allegations will emerge. While HarperCollins has acted decisively, the legal and personal ramifications for Walliams continue to unfold as more details from the investigation become public.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • The Guardian World↗The allegations against David Walliams - podcast
  • The Guardian US↗‘It wasn’t long until he asked me if I’d ever had sex before’: David Walliams accused of preying on young women for sex
  • The Guardian↗‘It wasn’t long until he asked me if I’d ever had sex before’: David Walliams accused of preying on young women for sex
  • Metro.co.uk↗David Walliams: From Britain’s Got Talent to sexual misconduct allegations