David Walliams has been named as the famous man at the centre of a failed injunction bid on Tuesday afternoon (November 10). Walliams was confirmed as the celebrity accused of grooming and sexually inappropriate behaviour towards multiple women.
He brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian, ahead of the two organisations reporting allegations against him, including of sexual misconduct and potential criminal activity. Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London that the allegations involved Walliams' alleged 'abuse of power and status' to contact young women and try to engage in 'inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities'.
Failed injunction bid
Denying the claims, Walliams, 55, unsuccessfully sought an injunction to prevent these publications because of the risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts. GNM and ITN published their investigations on Tuesday after the anonymity granted to Walliams during the proceedings was lifted after his injunction bid was dismissed.
Lawyers for the media organisations told the court during a two-day trial in October that the allegations were gathered after 'a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation' and that there was a 'strong' public interest in publishing them. Over 100 people were spoken to by reporters from the media organisation, including more than 30 sources with first-hand accounts as well as Walliams' friends and colleagues, Gavin Millar KC said.
Walliams' response
Walliams had initially attempted suicide after receiving letters from ITN and GNM asking for his reply to the allegations, because of 'long-term trauma and the fear of trial by media', his lawyers said. Sara Mansoori KC, for Walliams, stated in written submissions that Walliams 'has no intention of returning to public life' and that the author had not 'spuriously raised "mental health" concerns in the face of an impending publication that they do not wish to occur'.
In a letter understood to have been sent several months ago by Walliams to journalists working on the ITV News and Guardian investigations, he wrote: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with."
He added: "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."
He continued: "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."
Career and family background
The London native rose to fame alongside Matt Lucas on the comedy series Little Britain, which premiered on the BBC in 2003. The pair also made the airport sketch comedy Come Fly With Me. Walliams has sold more than 60 million copies of his children's books globally, including The Boy In The Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny. Seven of his books were adapted into BBC family television films/specials.
In December 2025, Walliams' book publisher HarperCollins dropped him after an investigation into allegations that he had 'harassed' young women, which Walliams denied. Earlier this month, theme park Alton Towers permanently closed its World Of David Walliams attraction, which featured rides inspired by the books.
Born on August 20, 1971, Walliams is the son of the late Peter Williams, a London Transport engineer, and Kathleen Williams, a laboratory technician. The family lived in Surrey during his young years. Prior to becoming a TV star, which saw him on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel from 2012 to 2022, Walliams went to school at Collingwood Boys' School in Wallington, and Reigate Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Bristol in 1992 with a BA in Drama, later changing his name from Williams to Walliams after the National Youth Theatre already had a member named David Williams.
Walliams' father Peter passed away in 2007 following a battle with liver cancer. His mum Kathleen is 82, with him bringing both her and his sister Julie to the filming of an episode of The Jonathan Ross Show in 2020, which featured an appearance from Robbie Williams.
Personal life and relationship with Lara Stone
Walliams began dating supermodel Lara Stone in 2009. They announced their engagement in January 2010, with Lara's Tiffany ring reportedly worth £100,000. The pair tied the knot four months later on May 16, 2010, at London's Claridge's Hotel. In May 2013 they welcomed a son into the world.
In 2015, David and Lara announced their separation. They continue to share custody of their 13-year-old son. Lara went on to marry her new husband in 2021 after meeting him on Tinder in 2018. They welcomed their son Bob in 2023.
Last month, Lara announced on Instagram that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She captioned her post: "Since it's still officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to share that I have recently been diagnosed and am undergoing treatment for breast cancer."
She added: "This has obviously been a huge shock, and I'm so grateful to have found it early. I don't often share my personal life online, but if this post will make just 1 person check their breasts, or make that appointment they've been putting off, it's worth sharing. Please don't ignore changes to your body."
Walliams is not currently believed to be in a relationship, with him keeping his private life out of the spotlight.
