Sky has scrapped the UK release of the film Fing!, co-written by and starring David Walliams, after allegations of sexual misconduct and abusing his power to groom teenagers as young as 15. The film, a family adventure based on Walliams' 2019 children's book, was due for release early next year.
Sky and BBC respond to allegations
A spokesperson for Sky told Variety: "The allegations made against David Walliams are extremely serious. We have notified the producers of the film of our intention to exit our position as the UK & Ireland licensee of Fing!" They said Sky had also "already removed content which features [Walliams] from our platforms".
The BBC also released a statement announcing it is removing programming and conducting a review of "all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms". A BBC spokesperson said: "These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms. We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is under way."
Allegations and denial
Walliams was named in an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News on Tuesday, after he tried to obtain an injunction to prevent the reporting of allegations against him. He strenuously denies any wrongdoing.
The Metropolitan Police said it has contacted the Guardian and ITV News to "ensure that any potential victims" are "made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police", after the sexual misconduct claims were made. Several sources alleged inappropriate behaviour towards women at Britain's Got Talent, where Walliams served as a judge from 2012 to 2022, and his publisher HarperCollins, which dropped him last year.
Walliams responds
In a letter understood to have been sent months ago by Walliams to journalists working on investigations, he wrote: "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."
He added: "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 also said: "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."
