Multiple women have accused author and TV star David Walliams of sexual misconduct, with the star named as part of an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News. This follows his attempt to secure an injunction to prevent the reporting of allegations against him. One woman described her alleged encounter with Walliams, when she was 15, as a "sexual assault." The women accuse Walliams of "grooming" them when they were teenagers. Walliams denies any wrongdoing.
Early Life and Comedy Career
The comedian was born David Edward Williams on August 20, 1971, in Wimbledon, south-west London and grew up in Surrey before developing a passion for performing. He studied drama at the University of Bristol and joined the National Youth Theatre, where he met Matt Lucas, who would become his comedy partner.
The pair went on to become household names thanks to their hugely successful BBC sketch show Little Britain. The comedy series started in 2003 and became a hit, also spawning live shows, but in recent years the show has faced controversy for jokes made about people with disabilities. David later teamed up with Matt again for airport-based comedy Come Fly With Me.
Children's Books and BGT
In 2008, he published his first children's novel, The Boy in the Dress, and went on to become a famous children's author. He wrote books including Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, and his stories sold millions of copies worldwide.
He also became a familiar face on Saturday night television, joining Britain's Got Talent as a judge in 2012 alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Charity Work and Personal Life
Away from showbiz, David famously swam the English Channel in 2006 and tackled a 140-mile River Thames challenge in 2011 to raise money for charity. His fundraising achievements earned him an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.
He began dating model Lara Stone in 2009 and a year later they got engaged. The couple have two children together. It was reported in March 2015 that after five years of marriage, David and Lara had decided to separate. He then filed for divorce that same year.
Comments on Sexuality
In 2007 David hinted at being pansexual in his book Inside Little Britain. In a 2013 interview with Radio Times he said: "I think it's all about falling in love with the person and that is overlooked, really. I hate it when people 'confess' or 'reveal' their sexuality and also things can change for people over the years."
"So it is about the person but I also think it goes beyond that. You don't just fall in love with someone's body, do you? You fall in love with someone's soul and heart and brain."
In 2024 he said that if he were younger, he would identify as non-binary. He has also previously said he experimented with men in his youth.
