The BBC has removed the animated show Room on the Broom from iPlayer as part of its reassessment of programming involving David Walliams, despite the former Britain's Got Talent judge having only a brief cameo in the film.
Walliams was this week accused of sexual misconduct in an investigation detailing claims he abused his power to groom teenagers as young as 15. He denies all wrongdoing. The Metropolitan Police have since confirmed they are probing a series of 'serious' sex offence allegations against the television personality and children's author.
Brief Cameo Role
Walliams voiced the frog character in the 25-minute animated film, but his part consisted of only three lines, plus a collection of comedic reaction noises and ribbits, according to The Times. The character's single spoken line was: 'I am a frog, as clean as can be. Is there room on the broom for a frog like me?'
The film, based on Julia Donaldson's children's picture book and from the author of The Gruffalo, first aired on the BBC in 2012 as a Christmas special. It features a kind witch, voiced by Gillian Anderson, who invites a group of animals to join her on her broom before they fight off a dragon.
Wider Programming Review
The cast also includes voice work by Rob Brydon, Martin Clunes, Sally Hawkins and Timothy Spall, with Simon Pegg as narrator.
The removal follows the BBC's announcement this week that it will remove the sketch show Little Britain, which rocketed Walliams to fame, among other shows involving him. A BBC spokesperson said: 'These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms.'
The spokesperson added: 'We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, while this review is underway.'
Other Platforms Follow Suit
The national broadcaster has also scrapped CBBC adaptations of Walliams' children's books Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, as well as a Doctor Who episode he featured in.
Channel 4 has removed episodes of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and Sky has dropped its plan to distribute Fing!, based on Walliams's book, which stars his Little Britain co-creator Matt Lucas. Metro contacted the BBC for comment on this story.
