David Walliams has denied allegations of sexual misconduct involving teenage girls and young women, as well as claims that he abused his position of power. The former Britain’s Got Talent judge acknowledged having casual relationships in the past that he now regrets but denied breaking the law. His statement follows an unsuccessful legal attempt to prevent the publication of an investigation into him by ITV News and The Guardian.
David Walliams denies sexual misconduct allegations
In a letter to The Guardian and ITV News, Walliams acknowledged having casual sexual relationships in the past. However, he denied grooming young women or abusing the power imbalance created by his celebrity status.
“Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with,” Walliams wrote. “I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret.”
He also rejected the suggestion that he had used his fame to exploit others. “I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” he said. Walliams added that he was devastated that some women he had met 10 or 20 years ago had since expressed hurt or anger over their experiences with him.
The statement followed a joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV News, which detailed allegations from multiple women and teenage girls. Some alleged that Walliams used his position and celebrity status to pursue them sexually. Two women who said they first met the comedian when they were 15 claimed they had been groomed by him. Several women also said their experiences had continued to affect them years later.
The investigation included allegations involving women connected to Britain’s Got Talent and Walliams’ former publisher, HarperCollins. The outlets said they had gathered accounts from 30 sources with firsthand knowledge of his alleged conduct. They also reviewed emails, social media messages, contemporaneous notes and other records. Separately, Walliams’ lawyers denied allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
