Former Hollyoaks actor Jeremy Edwards has claimed David Walliams humiliated him during a live Comic Relief performance in 2006, leaving him feeling ashamed for years.
Edwards, 55, said the comedian pulled down his trousers and underwear, exposing his genitals in front of an audience of around 3,500 people at London's Hammersmith Apollo, without his consent.
Consent and the incident
Edwards, who played Kurt in the Channel 4 soap from October 1995 until January 1999, had agreed at short notice to appear in a Little Britain sketch alongside Walliams and David Baddiel after Blue singer Duncan James dropped out.
He alleged that what he believed would be a light-hearted comedy routine turned into an ordeal when Walliams pulled down his trousers and underwear. Walliams has previously described the incident himself, saying: “His pants came down at the same time, which was a mistake.”
Edwards told the Mail on Sunday: “It simply was abuse. I did not agree to it. You just can't do that to people. Having your trousers pulled down and you're stood there in your boxer shorts is one thing. Having your penis exposed is something very different.”
He insisted he had not been told what was going to happen, adding: “What we are talking about here is consent and I didn't consent to it.”
The physical encounter
Edwards explained that Walliams tickled him under the arms, prompting him to lift his arms, before pulling down his trousers and underwear. As he bent down to cover himself, Edwards claims Walliams knocked him off balance, tackled him to the floor and climbed on top of him.
He said: “I couldn't get him off. I'm 6ft 2ins but he's a big guy and very strong. I ended up tapping out like a wrestler. I was saying 'Get off me. Get off me'. I felt angry but mainly embarrassed, mainly humiliated.”
The actor said he was left angry and deeply embarrassed, retreating to the toilets before waiting at the bar for his wife Lydia. He claimed most people laughed about the incident, but actor Rufus Sewell checked whether he was alright.
Aftermath and ongoing impact
Edwards also recalled Walliams approaching him and saying: “Of course he's alright. He got the biggest laugh of the night.”
He said he had initially believed the exposure was an accident. But, after seeing footage of Walliams performing the same routine on other men, he came to believe it had been planned. He said: "I never knew it was something that was done with intent."
The sketch later appeared on the 2007 Comic Relief Does Little Britain Live DVD, which remains available online. Edwards said he was sent a copy but has never watched it. He also claimed Walliams never apologised or checked on his welfare. He said: “I've never had an apology.”
The actor, who was once engaged to Rachel Stevens, said the footage resurfacing online has continued to affect him, including when people search for him before theatre performances. He said: “It's the bane of my life. It won't go away. It's never going to go away.” Edwards also recalled previously choosing not to speak out when Walliams faced criticism, saying he felt a misguided sense of loyalty.
Walliams previously said: “It's a very easy mistake to make! But I did expose him to thousands of people at London's Hammersmith Apollo. I did feel bad about it afterwards. But not that bad.” The routine was also performed during Little Britain's UK and Australian tours.
