Comedian Lucy Beaumont has revealed that her mother intervened after she was "taken off" by an older man working in television at a BBC awards party when she was 16. The 43-year-old opened up about the encounter while discussing her role as a whistleblower in the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against David Walliams.
Mother Intervened at Industry Event
Speaking to Cathy Newman on Sky News, Beaumont recalled attending the event with her mother, who eventually found her with the unidentified man and stopped the interaction. "I was young, I was 16. Me and my mum were at a BBC award winners party and I was taken off by an older man who works on TV and my mum found us and stopped it," she explained.
The former Celebrity Traitors star said her mother initially blamed herself for allowing her teenage daughter to wear make-up, something Beaumont suggested reflected attitudes towards young women at the time.
Police Contact Years Later
Although she did not initially consider the incident serious enough to report to the police, Beaumont revealed she eventually contacted the Metropolitan Police years later. "I don't know where it would've got to but if someone's leading you off, it's not great is it? And the age difference," she said.
Beaumont wanted the incident documented in case any further complaints were made about the man, but was told police had received no other reports about him. She also privately approached women who had worked with the individual, none of whom reported experiencing any problems. "So for me that was put to bed, I did what I felt was the right thing to do," she continued.
Concerns for Young People in TV
The experience has left her particularly concerned about the safety of young people entering the entertainment industry. "It makes me massively want to help others and if I hear about a young person entering this world of TV – they're vulnerable – of course I want to help them."
Beaumont, who has previously spoken out about predatory behaviour in the comedy industry, also revealed she had shared rumours about other figures with police, but was told officers needed people with direct experiences to come forward. Her account follows the revelation that she was among those who provided information to The Guardian during its three-year investigation into Walliams, who has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. There is no suggestion that Walliams was involved in Beaumont's own experience at the BBC awards party.
Whistleblower Role in Walliams Investigation
During the same interview, Beaumont explained that she became concerned about the children's author after a young television worker confided in her about his alleged conduct. The individual, who had previously worked on a show featuring Walliams, reportedly told Beaumont that part of their job involved escorting teenage girls, who were over the age of 16, to his dressing room.
"I don't know Walliams, I haven't worked with him," she explained, adding that the young worker had approached her because they were worried about what they had witnessed. Beaumont said she tried to raise concerns privately before eventually passing information to The Guardian. "I was one of the whistleblowers. I was one of the people to let The Guardian know," she confirmed.
She also contacted one of Walliams' alleged victims to offer support, revealing that she had become deeply worried about the woman's mental health. The comedian said the woman had signed a non-disclosure agreement and was in a particularly vulnerable position, prompting Beaumont to offer assistance with legal fees. However, the woman declined her offer.
Beaumont stressed that she had never personally witnessed any inappropriate behaviour by Walliams and could not independently verify the allegations, but felt compelled to act after hearing the concerns. She also criticised the television industry's safeguarding procedures, arguing that young workers had too few avenues to report worrying behaviour involving established stars.
Career Concerns and Walliams Allegations
The Hull-born comedian admitted that speaking out could jeopardise her own career, suggesting high-profile figures often remain silent because they fear being labelled troublemakers. "Honestly, I don't think I'll work in telly again. I honestly don't," she said. "The reason high-profile people are not saying anything is because they lose work, because you're seen that you might be a trouble causer."
Her comments come after Walliams, 55, was named as the celebrity at the centre of allegations of sexual misconduct following an investigation by The Guardian and ITV News. The investigation included accounts from multiple women who alleged the former Britain's Got Talent judge exploited his celebrity status to pursue them when they were teenagers.
Among the allegations was an account from a woman who claimed Walliams sexually assaulted her when she was 15. Another woman told ITV News that she first met the comedian when she was 15 and later had sex with him at 17. Walliams attempted to prevent publication of the allegations by seeking a permanent injunction against the news organisations, but his application was dismissed by a High Court judge on November 3. He subsequently decided not to appeal the ruling, allowing his identity to be made public on November 10.
Walliams has denied all allegations, including criminal wrongdoing. He acknowledged that he had "behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with", but insisted: "I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law."
Meanwhile, Beaumont has received an outpouring of support from fans following her interview, with some purchasing tickets for her upcoming stand-up shows in a show of solidarity.
