David Walliams has been named as the famous man who lost his bid for an injunction to prevent the publication of allegations including sexual misconduct against him. Walliams had until Monday afternoon to take the case to the Court of Appeal, but failed to do so.
He can now be named publicly after The Guardian and ITN, which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, published their investigation into Walliams.
Allegations and Legal Ruling
Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London the claims they want to report involve the man’s alleged “abuse of power and status” to contact young women and try to engage in “inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities”.
Walliams sought an injunction to prevent this broadcast and publication because of a risk that he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts. In a ruling on November 3, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the bid for an injunction to prevent him from being named, ruling it would be an “exceptionally serious interference” with freedom of expression.
Career and Publishing Fallout
Walliams rose to fame in comedy sketch show Little Britain in the early 2000s alongside co-star Matt Lucas. HarperCollins published his first children's book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. He went on to become one of the UK's most successful children's authors, having sold more than 60 million copies worldwide in 55 languages.
Some of his books, including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, have also been adapted into TV films. In 2025, HarperCollins said it had dropped the children’s author following reports that he was accused of behaving inappropriately towards young women. Walliams strongly denies any claims and said at the time that he had not been informed about an investigation by HarperCollins.
Earlier this year the publisher said it has dropped Walliams’ backlist, with HarperCollins set to gradually phase out stock of the books in shops as well as e-book and audio versions available online. Walliams, 55, brought legal action against ITN and The Guardian, ahead of the two organisations reporting allegations against him, including of sexual misconduct and potential criminal activity. Walliams denied the claims and unsuccessfully sought an injunction to prevent these publications because of the risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts.
