The BBC has confirmed it is removing several David Walliams programmes from its streaming platform after allegations that the comedian and writer exploited his celebrity status to target vulnerable teenagers and young women. The broadcaster said it is "carefully reviewing" programmes involving Walliams in light of the "serious allegations".
A three-year investigation alleges he misused his influence and prominent standing in British entertainment for sexual purposes, including with minors as young as 15. Multiple women have brought forward fresh allegations against him, with one claiming he initially began messaging her aged 15 after they met at a Little Britain fan event.
Programmes withdrawn from iPlayer
Comedy programmes Little Britain and Come Fly With Me no longer feature on BBC iPlayer, while episodes of The Wheel and Would I Lie To You? containing Walliams have been withdrawn, alongside a 2011 Doctor Who episode in which Walliams appeared.
Following publication of the allegations, a BBC spokesperson stated: "These are serious allegations. As such, the BBC is looking carefully at all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms. We are in the process of removing some programmes, including Little Britain, whilst this review is under way."
Walliams responds to claims
In response to the investigation, Walliams said: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with... I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. 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... I am devastated that some of the women I met ten to twenty years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me."
Police contact media over potential victims
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it has approached the Guardian and ITV News "to ensure that any potential victims" are "made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police", following allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against Walliams.
A Met spokesman stated: "We're aware of reports in the media in relation to allegations involving a man in his 50s. The Met has not received any related reports of sexual assault or any other offences. Should we receive any reports, they will be carefully assessed.
"Anyone who contacts the police will be supported by specialist officers. Last week, we contacted the media organisations that were involved in civil proceedings relating to the protection of the identity of that individual, to ensure that any potential victims who they have spoken to could be made aware of how they could report any criminal allegations to police. Reports can be made by calling 101, providing the reference 4900/10NOV26."
Beyond his tenure as a Britain's Got Talent judge, Walliams has achieved global sales exceeding 60 million copies of his children's books. His titles include The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, with the latter adapted into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel featuring Sheridan Smith in 2022.
He departed Britain's Got Talent in 2022 following an apology for making "disrespectful comments" about auditioning contestants during filming breaks in January 2020. In 2023, Britain's Got Talent producer Fremantle issued an apology and secured an "amicable resolution" with Walliams after his comments made while on the programme were disclosed.
