David Walliams has denied being a sexual predator after women, some as young as 15, made allegations of sexual misconduct against him. The former Britain's Got Talent judge was named as part of a joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian after losing an injunction bid to block the reporting of the allegations.
The allegations against Walliams, 55, date back to 2003 and allege that the comedian abused his power and status to contact young women to try and engage in "inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities." They span his time as a TV star on Come Fly With Me, his role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, and his career as a children's book author. Walliams has denied all allegations against him.
Allegations from women as young as 15
One woman, named by ITV and the Guardian as Jade, alleged that she was sexually assaulted and groomed by Walliams in 2007 when she was aged 15. She told journalists at the Guardian and ITV News that what she says happened to her was "completely wrong in every way." Another woman, referred to as Alex, alleged she was having sex with Walliams by the time she was 17. Walliams said he believed Alex was 18 at the time they had sex. His lawyers say the suggestion he groomed Alex is false and has caused him significant distress.
The children's author unsuccessfully sought an injunction to block the publication of these claims because of the risk that he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts. He was granted anonymity during the proceedings, but Mr Justice Nicklin, the judge presiding over the High Court battle, rejected the injunction request, giving Walliams until Monday to file an appeal.
Publisher and theme park fallout
Prior to the publication of the allegations, Walliams was dropped by book publisher HarperCollins in December last year, after an investigation into allegations that he had "harassed" young women - a claim that Walliams strongly denied. Alton Towers also permanently closed its World of David Walliams attraction, which featured rides inspired by his books, earlier this month.
Walliams has denied all allegations in a letter addressed to journalists working on the ITV and Guardian investigation.
Walliams' statement in full
In the letter to journalists at ITV News and the Guardian, Walliams 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. 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.
"I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me."
Samaritans can be contacted for free, day or night, 365 days a year, on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
