Celebrities including Matt Lucas stay silent on Walliams scandal

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 19:33 · Archive

Several high-profile figures close to David Walliams have not publicly commented since allegations of sexual misconduct emerged.

Following allegations that David Walliams groomed girls as young as 15, several celebrities who worked closely with him have remained publicly silent, prompting questions about why prominent figures in his circle have not commented.

Matt Lucas, who rose to fame alongside Walliams in the BBC sketch show Little Britain in the early 2000s, has made no public statement. The 52-year-old was photographed walking through London on Friday, days after the allegations emerged, but wrapped up against the cold in a coat, baseball cap and sunglasses. He has yet to publicly address the allegations, and there is no suggestion he was aware of Walliams' alleged conduct.

Lucas has also stopped posting his daily messages wishing followers a 'good morning' on X, something he had been doing for years. His last X post was published on 2 November, just over a week before the joint investigation by The Guardian and ITV emerged. The Times reports that this change was noticeable to his followers. The pair had co-hosted the podcast Making a Scene until earlier this year and had worked together on the comedy series Come Fly with Me.

Amanda Holden, a fellow judge on Britain's Got Talent, has also been noticeably silent despite their years of working together. She appears on Heart Breakfast but did not comment on the allegations despite news bulletins being full of the story.

Other entertainers have responded differently. Comedian Lucy Beaumont, identified as one of the whistleblowers in the Guardian and ITV investigation, has been vocal about consent issues in the UK entertainment industry. Fellow comic Nish Kumar has highlighted what he calls a 'cultural issue that protects these men' and a 'problem in entertainment and comedy with misogyny'. Kathrine Ryan has praised the bravery of women who came forward. Walliams has denied the allegations against him.

How it is being reported

• Matt Lucas makes major change amid David Walliams allegationsMatt Lucas has yet to publicly address the recent allegations made against Walliams.Daily Express · 13 Nov, 18:02
• Matt Lucas seen out for the first time since David Walliams sexual misconduct allegationsMatt Lucas has been pictured for the first time since allegations emerged against his former comedy partner David Walliams (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock/Click News and Media) Matt Lucas has been spotted in London for the first time since his longtime comedy partner David Walliams was…Metro · 13 Nov, 13:37
• Friends of Russell Brand and David Walliams are unusually quietNormally, you would find them at the opening of an envelope. Today they are lying lower than a snake’s belly. I’m talking about the celebrity pals of David Walliams and Russell Brand. Let’s go through the list of the disappeared. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say First up Walliams old chum Matt Lucas who has kept totally shtum since the allegations of grooming under-age girls first surfaced. Lucas and Walliams shot to national prominence when they co-created Little Britain. Until last year the pair were co-hosts of the podcast Making a Scene. The Times reports that every morning Lucas sends a…GB News · 13 Nov, 13:02
• Why are so many celebrities staying silent about David Walliams and Russell Brand?Matt Lucas, one of David Walliams’ longtime friends, has not publicly spoken out since the allegations against the comedian (Picture: Rex Features) There are many questions in the fallout of the David Walliams and Russell Brand sexual misconduct scandals this week. But one that is gathering…Metro · 13 Nov, 12:40

In this story: David Walliams · Matt Lucas · Russell Brand · Amanda Holden · Lucy Beaumont · Nish Kumar · Kathrine Ryan · BBC

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