David Walliams named in sexual misconduct allegations investigation

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 10 Nov, 12:28 · Archive

David Walliams has been named as the celebrity who sought to block publication of allegations of sexual misconduct. A joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian reports allegations dating back to 2003, with multiple women accusing him of grooming and inappropriate sexual behaviour including when they were teenagers. One woman claims she was sexually assaulted when she was 15.

Walliams, 55, brought legal action against ITV News and Guardian News and Media ahead of the two organisations reporting the allegations. He attempted to use a High Court injunction to prevent publication. However, reporting restrictions have been lifted after he decided not to appeal against a decision to dismiss his claim.

Allegations include inappropriate conduct and sexual harassment at his former publisher HarperCollins and while working on Britain's Got Talent. Multiple women have described encounters involving grooming, while another described an alleged encounter as 'sexual assault'.

Walliams has denied all allegations against him. In a statement, he said: 'Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with. I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. That is something I regret.' He added: 'And 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 further stated: 'I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law. I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me.'

How it is being reported

• David Walliams tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegationsMultiple women have accused David Walliams of sexually inappropriate behaviour and grooming, which he deniesCroydon Guardian · 10 Nov, 12:18
• David Walliams tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegationsMultiple women have accused David Walliams of sexually inappropriate behaviour and grooming, which he deniesThis Is Local London · 10 Nov, 12:18
• David Walliams tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegationsMultiple women have accused David Walliams of sexually inappropriate behaviour and grooming, which he deniesWandsworth Guardian · 10 Nov, 12:18
• David Walliams has been named as the celebrity behind sex claims injunctionWimbledon’s David Walliams has been named as the celebrity who used an injunction to silence accusations of sexual misconduct.This Is Local London · 10 Nov, 12:13

In this story: David Walliams · ITV News · The Guardian · HarperCollins · Britain's Got Talent · Wimbledon

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log