Following the publication of sexual misconduct allegations against David Walliams, attention has turned to past comments and reactions from public figures, including a resurfaced clip of comedian Sean Lock.
On Tuesday, The Guardian and ITV published an investigation into the 55-year-old comedian in which several women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment in the workplace. One woman, using the pseudonym Jade, claimed Walliams kissed and touched her when she was 15 and he was 36. Walliams attempted to block the investigation through a High Court injunction, citing the threat of taking his own life, but his appeal was unsuccessful. He has denied all the allegations.
Sean Lock's 2009 Reaction Resurfaces
Comedian Sean Lock is being praised for not tolerating Walliams as far back as 2009. In a resurfaced clip from 8 out of 10 Cats, Walliams makes a joke to Jimmy Carr about Michael Jackson's death. Walliams quipped: 'If it is wrong to share your bed with 13-year-old boys then lock me up and throw away the key,' to which Lock, also on the panel, remained stone-faced.
Piers Morgan and Jonathan Ross Speak Out
Piers Morgan, who has long criticised Walliams publicly, reiterated his disdain following the expose, posting on X: 'Shocking, but unsurprising. Walliams is a nasty piece of work.' In 2020, Morgan refused to step onto the Britain's Got Talent panel, calling Walliams 'a duplicitous, treacherous piece of work'.
Jonathan Ross, a once close friend, has also spoken out. He said he was 'horrified by the revelations', claimed he was 'unaware of the conduct' at the time, and expressed regret over a 2004 joke he made about Walliams going home with 'drunk 15-year-olds'.
Lucy Beaumont's Account and Industry Fallout
On the Cathy Newman Show, comedian Lucy Beaumont revealed she was one of the people who came forward during the investigation. She became concerned after being told Walliams was allegedly hosting teenage girls in his dressing room. Beaumont confirmed she never worked with Walliams or witnessed inappropriate behaviour herself, but a TV worker had 'confided' in her their worries, prompting her to take action.
Walliams has been suspended as a Labour Party member, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's spokesperson calling the allegations 'clearly deeply troubling allegations'. Broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4 have removed content featuring Walliams from their platforms, while Sky has pulled out of releasing his new movie, Fing!, in the UK.
