BBC Breakfast was interrupted for a breaking news update after a failed court injunction was lifted. David Walliams has been accused of targeting girls as young as 15 following his unsuccessful legal bid to prevent publication of the allegations.
In a joint investigation by ITV News and the Guardian, several women claim the comedian and author exploited his fame to pursue them when they were teenagers or young women. Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
Programmes Removed from Schedules
BBC presenters Jon Kay and Emma Vardy discussed the newspaper front pages as they informed viewers that Walliams' programmes are being removed from schedules and streaming. Emma said: "Let's return to our top story now and it's running on the front pages. Those allegations of sexual misconduct by several women against the comedian and author David Walliams."
The claims follow a three year investigation by The Guardian and ITV News. Emma continued: "The Sun reports the BBC is removing some programmes featuring Walliams including the sketch show Little Britain."
Walliams' Response
Emma then said: "In a letter addressed to journalists working on the Guardian and ITV investigation, Walliams wrote: 'Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with.'
"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'."
The comedian is best known for starring in Little Britain, Britain's Got Talent and Come Fly With Me. "He also added this: '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.'"
Police Statement
The Metropolitan Police says it has reached out to the Guardian and ITV News so "any potential victims" know how to report "any criminal allegations," but they have not received any related reports of sexual assault or any other offences.
