Lucy Beaumont reveals role as David Walliams investigation whistleblower

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 15:44 · Archive

Comedian Lucy Beaumont has revealed she was among sources who gave information to journalists investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams.

Comedian Lucy Beaumont has revealed she was among the whistleblowers who spoke to The Guardian and ITV News during their investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams. The 43-year-old made the disclosure in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, the same day the investigation was published.

Beaumont explained that about three years ago, a young person working their first job in television approached her after working on a project with Walliams. The person told Beaumont that their job had involved taking girls to Walliams' dressing room. Beaumont said she was particularly concerned because the girls appeared vulnerable and working-class, with some never having been to London or worked in television before.

Beaumont said that at the time, the young person felt there was no process within the TV company to report what was happening. She stated she was 'really worried' about the situation and subsequently tried to help one of the alleged victims privately, even offering to pay legal fees if the girl broke a non-disclosure agreement she had signed.

The investigation alleged that Walliams engaged in inappropriate behaviour towards girls as young as 15 and used his celebrity status to exploit teenagers. Walliams denies all allegations, saying he 'behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with' but is 'not a sexual predator' and has 'not broken the law'. He sought an injunction to prevent publication but a judge refused the application.

Beaumont said she came forward publicly to call for better safeguarding procedures in the television industry and to protect young women working in the sector. She acknowledged fearing the decision to speak out could cost her career, saying she did not expect to work in television again.

How it is being reported

• Comedian Lucy Beaumont Says She Was Among David Walliams 'Whistleblowers'Comedian Lucy Beaumont has revealed that she was among the sources who spoke to journalists as part of a recent investigation detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams . On Tuesday evening, Beaumont sat down for an interview with Sky’s Cathy Newman , in which she claimed she was “one of the whistleblowers” who spoke about the Little Britain comedian to The Guardian as part of its investigation, which had been published earlier that day. She explained that “about three years ago”, she worked with “a young person” whose previous role had seen them working on a project…HuffPost UK · 11 Nov, 11:42
• Comedian Lucy Beaumont fears TV blacklist after blowing whistle on heinous David Walliams allegationsA comedian who shared concerns about David Walliams' inappropriate behavior with the British press fears she will never work in the television industry again after the best-selling children's book author was accused of sexual misconduct.New York Post · 11 Nov, 11:15
• Lucy Beaumont reveals she was whistleblower after fearing David Walliams’ alleged victim would ‘take own life’The comedian said she didn't expect to work in TV again after coming forward.Metro · 11 Nov, 09:28
• Lucy Beaumont comes forward as David Walliams whistleblower as she calls out TV industryShe said she had never worked with Walliams or witnessed any inappropriate behaviour from him but was ‘worried that these girls were young’Evening Standard · 11 Nov, 08:34

In this story: Lucy Beaumont · David Walliams · The Guardian · ITV News · Sky News

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