A video of David Walliams joking about sharing a bed with a 13-year-old boy has resurfaced on social media following public allegations of sexual misconduct against the comedian.
Earlier this week, Walliams, 55, was named as the 'famous man' who had sought an injunction to prevent ITN and The Guardian from publishing reports that he allegedly groomed fans and harassed women in the workplace. Walliams denies all of the allegations against him. One of the more serious allegations made in the joint ITV News and Guardian report is that he sexually assaulted a girl when she was 15 years old.
2009 Clip Draws Backlash Online
Since the report went public, a video has been shared on X showing Walliams on an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats from 2009. In the clip, the panel, which includes Sean Lock, are talking about Michael Jackson's death. Walliams jokes: 'If it is wrong to share your bed with 13-year-old boys, then lock me up and throw away the key', as the audience laughs and host Jimmy Carr grimaces.
The clip, which has been viewed 81,000 times, has received hundreds of likes since it was posted, while the joke has received backlash. 'Making fun of pedophilia,' wrote Nina. 'Trying to say it's a joke. Normalising listening to this b*******.' Meanwhile, @Chim_1994 asked: 'What even is the joke here? Why was this deemed funny back then?' @MrHMonnoyer added: 'You can actually feel the contempt and rage from Sean Lock in this clip.'
BBC and Channel 4 Remove Walliams Projects
Since the allegations against Walliams were made public, the BBC has removed Little Britain and several other projects starring the comedian from its library. Channel 4 has made a similar decision.
In response to the complaints against him prior to the publication of his name, Walliams acknowledged that he behaved thoughtlessly towards people he had casual sexual relationships with. 'I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account,' he continued. 'That is something I regret.'
'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. 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.'
Metro has reached out to Channel 4 for comment.
